ADDRESSING THE VETERINARY SHORTAGE
HELP US CLOSE THE CARE GAP.
BACKGROUND
Many parts of rural Minnesota fall within USDA Type I or Type II Veterinary Shortage areas. The gap in care is widening due to recent Veterinarian retirements, the implementation of Guidance for Industry #263, and lack of Veterinarian recruitment in rural areas.
RECRUITMENT
Only 5 of 95 graduates in the most recent University of Minnesota general admission class chose food animal veterinary work. Another eight students from the VetFast Program chose the same. In general, graduates from Veterinary Colleges are choosing to work in urban and suburban areas, where salaries are high and working conditions are better. Veterinary Loan Forgiveness Programs are inadequate and rural areas fail to recruit these Veterinarians.
VETERINARY RETIREMENTS
Seven of 19 Veterinarians have retired within the last five years in Otter Tail County. Faribault County's last veterinarian cannot find a replacement. Nearly 2,000 baby boomer veterinarians retire each year and our failure to recruit newly licensed veterinarians will exacerbate this issue.
EXCESSIVE REQUIREMENTS
Do you need eight years of school to perform cattle pregnancy checks or fix uterine prolapses? No. Many livestock farmers would happily rely on the expertise of a Certified Veterinary Technician over YouTube. Remember: beloved livestock veterinarian James Herriot had only six years of education prior to his long, rewarding career as a large animal veterinarian.
ANTIBIOTIC RULE
Beginning in June 2023, livestock farmers are now required to have a veterinary prescription to purchase antibiotics. These medicines are crucial as we deal with tens or hundreds of pregnant and calving animals. This requirement will increase the demand for veterinarians in rural areas.
