The gesture, which even included a large-scale cheque presentation at the Lawrence meeting, has become an annual gift from the association back to its members who buy products through its stores and depots.
Since the scheme began several years ago, nearly $1.9 million has been redistributed to members.
In their annual reports, both chairman Alastair Cocks and chief executive Bruce Bissett acknowledged the importance of the dairy boom but also that the increased pace of dairy conversions continued to have implications and place huge demands on its vet staff.
Mr Bissett said the dairy sector continued to take up the largest amount of large animal vet time from August through to April.
"If we could get them, we would employ more vets as there are so many things that we could be doing," he said.
In his report, Mr Cocks said the past year had been dominated by the dairy boom, the need for change in the meat industry and trying weather.
"We saw little or nothing in the way of a spring surge in growth and this tight situation was followed by a dry and warm summer . . . as the fortunes of the vet club tend to mirror those of our farmers, we too have had a more trying year."
Despite a difficult year, the association reported a pre-tax surplus of $108,709 for the year ending April 30, 2008.
There was a $200,427 surplus the previous year.
The association's growth in recent years prompted the board to closely review its structure.
It employed Paul Bonini in the new role of business manager. He will support Mr Bissett and look at ways of improving its business practices.
A significant investment, made after plenty of research, was to buy a one-third share in a new Gore-based vet practice, Combined Vet Services (Gore) Ltd.
Other equal shareholders are the Edendale Vet Club and Northern Southland Veterinary Services.
Mr Cocks said it operated as a stand-alone business and the Clutha board believed the co-operative vet model had worked well in the past and should again in the future.
Although it had only been trading since January, he said it had been well received locally and had built up its client base at "a pleasantly surprising rate".
In his report, Mr Bissett also referred to the dairy boom but was confident circumstances for sheep farmers, who were "under the hammer", would improve.
"In the last 20 years, there have probably been three significant downturns and the corresponding lift following.
"I have no doubt the same will occur."
