Every year U.S. farmers see more and more large animal veterinarians retiring from the industry. These producers are in need of a younger generation of vets to replace those leaving the career field.
Scott Leibsle, Idaho State Veterinarian, says many young people decided to go the small animal route after graduating. He notes that new graduates face an enormous amount of debt and working with production animals does not pay the way working in a small animal clinic does. This is a huge reason the industry is in the position they’re in as far as vets go.
“Some people don’t want to move and take on $250,000 of debt to live in a town with a population of 1,500 people,” Leibsle explains. “The fact is small animal veterinarians can see 40-50 patients in a day because they drive to them, a large animal veterinarian has to drive from one facility, one farm or ranch to another.”
One way the National Institute for Food and Agriculture has tried to remedy the problem was by establishing the Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Program. Participants will receive up to $25,000 annually to repay student debt if they work in rural areas across the country connected to the beef, dairy, or poultry industries.
“Departments of Agriculture in all the states are very aware of it, but I don’t know how much the general public is aware of the need,” Leibsle said.
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