POST Online Media Lite Edition



 

Industry representatives to discuss ideas to alleviate shortage of large animal vets in Kentucky

Christian Fernsby |
The impact on farmers and our food system created by the shortage of large animal veterinaries in Kentucky and throughout the country will be the primary focus of an industry stakeholders meeting set for November 14 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

Article continues below




“This shortage is impacting the farmer and could impact our food source in the future,” Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles said.

“Without the ability to get the adequate animal care farmers need to keep their herds and flocks healthy, this shortage creates a significant concern for animal welfare. It’s our hope that bringing industry stakeholders together, we can find solutions to the issues at hand and restore the service farmers need.”

The meeting, which will be 10 a.m. – noon EST, will bring together agriculture producers, veterinarians, and agriculture animal industry representatives for the second time to further refine and develop plans to address the shortage. The first meeting, this summer, brought veterinarians to the table to discuss the impact of the shortage.

Nationwide, a shortage of large animal veterinarians is impacting farmers as they begin to experience the demand for veterinary care, but without the timely service they’ve had in the past. Large animal veterinarians are essential to the protection of the nation’s food supply.

Only 5 percent of veterinarians in the U.S. practice on large animals. The other 95 percent have turned to research or small animal vet practices.

In Kentucky, the picture for large animal veterinarians is even bleaker. With more than 1 million head of cattle in the state, only 3 percent of veterinarians have dedicated large animal practices.

“We have seen a progression over time where less veterinarians are coming into large animal practices in Kentucky,” Kentucky State Veterinarian Dr. Katie Flynn said. “Of the 1,695 vets in Kentucky, only 54 of them are offering full-time service to our large animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.”

Large animal vets play a critical role with food safety and production practices. The nationwide shortage is leaving these aspects of animal care and public safety in a critical juncture.

“With fewer vets, we have fewer eyes and ears out there,” Dr. Flynn said. “There are fewer individuals protecting livestock and the public from potential disease.”

There are a number of factors behind the vet shortage, including:

- Salaries: Large animal veterinarians make less on average than those in private small animal practices. The average salary for a first-year small animal vet is around $96,000, while an equine vet will make on average around $58,000 a year.

- Debt load: The average debt for a graduating veterinarian is around $218,000. With a 10-year repayment schedule, that equates to around $3,000 a month.

- Burnout: Long work hours, strenuous work, and unpredictable schedules have driven many large animal veterinarians from the field. Instead, many are opting to find work in small animal practices that offer a fixed schedule, less physically demanding environment, and more compensation.

- Retirements: Almost 40 percent of the large animal veterinarians in Kentucky are within 10 years of retirement. “As they start to retire, we don’t see new veterinarians taking their places,” Dr. Flynn said.

While the recruitment of vets and improving relationships between vets and producers will be the primary focus of the stakeholders meeting,the Kentucky Department of Agriculture has already identified a number of programs that may be beneficial in resolving the vet shortage, including:

• The Large Food Animal Veterinary Loan Program (VET), offered by the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation, which helps individuals licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Kentucky to construct, expand, equip, or buy into a practice serving large/food animal producers, including goats, sheep, swine, and other smaller food animals.

• The Large and Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Program, offered by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, which provides funding for Kentucky veterinarians to increase service to large and food animals in the state.

Applicants may receive up to 75 percent reimbursement for eligible expenditures not to exceed more than $100,000 in state and county funds as a lifetime limit.

• The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture for qualified veterinarians who are working in the food animal field.

The program provides up to $75,000 in loan repayment over a three-year period to help offset a significant portion of the debt incurred in pursuit of veterinary medical degrees in return for service in certain high-priority veterinary shortage situations. Kentucky identifies the area of the state where qualified applicants are needed.

• The Auburn University preceptorship program, which is a federal grant that places veterinary students into a Kentucky rural practice. On Kentucky’s first Auburn program, of the 20 students who were placed in Kentucky practices during their studies, 15 are coming back to the state to begin their careers.

The stakeholders group will explore these ideas more fully, in addition to beginning discussions on more avenues to alleviate the veterinarian dilemma.


What to read next

Animal antibiotics and antimicrobials market worth $5.6 billion by 2026
Kentucky gives first-ever fish house contract to fight Asian carp
Kentucky ground beef celebrates $1 million in farm gate sales

Excessive rainfall and flooding threat in Puerto Rico and New Mexico

 
A trailing cold front in connection with a low pressure system currently moving east across the Great Lakes toward New England will bring a chance of rain into the eastern U.S. on this first day of November following an exceptionally dry October for this part of the country.
 
 

Latest

U.S. oil and gas rig count unchanged stays at 585
New Jersey Governor Murphy to lead economic mission to UK
Governor Moore commends launch of double-stack rail operations at Port of Baltimore
MEPPI will create at least 200 new jobs in Southwestern Pennsylvania

NEWS

Record heat in southern U.S.

Peru's ex-president Alejandro Toledo sentenced to 20 years in prison over corruption
U.S. weather: Dry in east; active pattern for west
Finland wins European Transport Safety Council’s road safety prize for 2024
Maritime crime and piracy incidents lowest since 1994
Bulgaria: EPPO accuses former mayor and ex-governor in investigation into fishing port in Varna
 

BUSINESS

Iran lifts ban on brand-new Apple phones import

Istanbul provides free public transport for unemployed residents
EIB backs Gran Canaria with €300 million loan for Salto de Chira hydroelectric project
New Zealand concludes high quality trade deal with Gulf Cooperation Council
African Development Bank approves $54 million loan for Mozambique’s first wind energy project
U.S. oil and gas rig count steady
 

Trending Now

Istanbul provides free public transport for unemployed residents

EIB backs Gran Canaria with €300 million loan for Salto de Chira hydroelectric project

Iran lifts ban on brand-new Apple phones import

Stellantis leverages its management organisation


POLITICS

Indonesia bans sales of Google's Pixel smartphones

UK Government ends miners’ pension injustice
Governor Pillen joins letter requesting Biden take action dealing with IV fluid shortage
Canada reduces credit card fees by 27 pct for small businesses
Zambia, China sign MoU to establish African nation's first cholera vaccine plant
Turkey imposes anti-dumping duties on steel imports from China, Russia, India, Japan
 

Today We Recommend

UK Government ends miners’ pension injustice


Highlights 

MEPPI will create at least 200 new jobs in Southwestern Pennsylvania

Solarcycle will create 640 new full-time jobs in Polk County, Georgia

Pennsylvania: GSK will create at least 200 new, high-paying jobs in Lancaster County


COMPANIES

Solarcycle will create 640 new full-time jobs in Polk County, Georgia

Polish Laude Smart Intermodal to build rail terminal in Ukraine
Pennsylvania: GSK will create at least 200 new, high-paying jobs in Lancaster County
Hemlock Semiconductor creating over 1,000 manufacturing and construction jobs in Michigan
Evergy to invest more than $2B in two new high-efficiency natural gas plants in Kansas
New AIG office hub to create 600 Metro Atlanta jobs
 

CAREERS

Stellantis leverages its management organisation

African Development Bank appoints director general for East Africa
Mars announces new leadership within its petcare business
OCI Global announces leadership changes
Ethypharm appoints Éric Chevalier as group human resources director
Exothera appoints Cedric Volanti as CEO
 

ECONOMY

Fraser Institute: Canada’s debt ranking falls from best in G7 to 7th worst

Kuwait reports $5.2 bln budget deficit in FY 2023-24
Eurozone reports modest Q1 GDP growth, stable annual inflation
Italy sees faster economic growth in Q1
Slovenia's economy expected to grow 0.9 pct in Q1
Italy faces deficit infringement procedure
 

EARNINGS

Ericsson Q2 sales down but North America up

Lockton revenue $3.55 billion
Motorcar Parts of America Q4 sales $189.5 million
Limoneira Q2 revenue $44.6 million
Lululemon athletica Q1 revenue increased 10% to $2.2 billion
PVH Q1 GAAP EBIT $205 million
 

OP-ED

Micromanaging is the worst enemy of efficiency and teamwork

Niger set to monetize massive gas reserves through Saharan natural gas pipeline
Putting the brakes on EV folly that choked the market
Oil discovery in Kavango Basin may mean huge benefits for Namibians
Cape Town and Dubai battle over Africa's energy future
Is America going to lose its superpower status?
 

AGRIFISH

U.S. confirms H5N1 bird flu in swine for first time

Bluetongue outbreaks escalate in Czech Republic
French farmers to resume nationwide protests in November
Greece on alert after outbreak of sheep pox
Argentina opened South African market to send porcine hemoglobin powder
Hong Kong suspends import of poultry meat and products from Canyon County, Idaho
 

LEADERSHIP

Employers prefer younger job candidates for AI roles although experienced workers perform same or better

Study finds workers misjudge wage markets
Some organizations may need to expand their hierarchical structures earlier than others
Study finds there's right way and wrong way to deliver negative feedback in workplace
Allyship is critical and its needs appreciation
Generating 'buzz' about new products can influence their success
 

CRIME

BHP, Vale agree to pay $30B damages for Brazil dam disaster

Commission fines České dráhy and Österreichische Bundesbahnen €48.7 million over collusion to exclude common compe
SEC charges Keurig with making inaccurate statements regarding recyclability of K-Cup beverage pod
SEC charges John Deere with FCPA violations for subsidiary’s role in Thai bribery scheme
AG Bonta secures $3.9 million settlement with cryptocurrency company Robinhood
Italy issues $6.4 million fine over Chinese cars badged as Italian
 

Magazine

TRAVEL

Radisson Hotel Group debuts in the heart of Tunisia’s capital city, Tunis

Morocco’s first Radisson branded hotel opens in Casablanca
Buna channels, an unreal and beautiful part of Bosnia and Herzegovina
JW Marriott unveils Mindful Haven with opening of JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi
Sotheby's Sports Week returns with fantastic artifacts
Red Roof properties open in Michigan
 

SEA, LAND, AIR

Citroën C3 Aircross, the most affordable compact SUV with 7 seats

2025 Chevrolet Equinox stands apart with fresh looks and capability
Hill Helicopters HX50, luxury in the sky
Opel Movano becomes fully equipped camper van
Porsche Panamera, new hybrid variants
Dodge Charger, 670 horsepower of electric
 

DESIGN

Cold night, hot fire pit, cool entertainment

Embellish your home with PVC panels
You'll have to hurry if you want one of 20 new Louis Vuitton watches
Luxury duvet looks good, fells good and keeps you healthy
Vacheron Constantin, watches for life and more
Schüller kitchens, where functionality marries design
 

GADGETS

MESA/Boogie Celebrates 40-year partnership with John Petrucci

reMarkable 2, monochrome tablet for your thoughts and your eyes
OnePlus Ace 3V, first with Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3
ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, flagship with a reason
Samsung Galaxy S24 is photography powerhouse
Casette tapes are making a big comeback, and so are portable players
 

HEALTH

One more barrier to developing vaccine for HIV removed

Rwanda begins world's first clinical trial for treatment of Marburg virus disease
Rwanda restricts gatherings amid Marburg virus outbreak, to begin trials of vaccine
Teksas Attorney General reaches settlement in first-of-its-kind healthcare generative AI investigation
Potentially deadly fungal disease spreading in California
First mpox vaccines arrive in Africa
 

MEANTIME

Einstein Telescope step closer

Exoplanet-hunting telescope to begin search for another Earth in 2026
India to build first phase of its own space station by 2028
Roscosmos chief approves schedule of creating Russian orbital station through 2033
Potentially habitable 'exo-Venus' with Earth-like temperature discovered
Rare species of wild bees discovered in Berlin