Source: Farm Journal Foundation news release
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. – There’s new data on the effects of the nationwide shortage of rural veterinarians, specifically across the state of Oklahoma. Farm Journal Foundation recently completed its first statewide assessment report on the rural and food systems veterinary shortage in the first of three pilot states for the organization’s Veterinary Workforce Solutions Program.
The assessment report found that over the past five years, 64 out of 77 counties across Oklahoma experienced shortages of veterinarians. States across the U.S. report veterinary shortage areas annually to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Over the past five years, Oklahoma nominated its full allotment of 35 shortage areas to USDA (seven areas annually), the most allowed under the agency’s reporting system.
In addition, while beef cattle is Oklahoma’s largest animal agriculture sector, the report found that just 23 percent of total licensed veterinarians statewide selected “Bovine” as their area of practice. Just 16 percent of respondents listed “Swine,” while 76 percent selected “Small Animal” as their area of practice, meaning that they work primarily with pets or companion animals rather than livestock.
The report also found that Oklahoma has 640 veterinarians who could retire in the next 10 years. Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine is tracking graduate numbers for those who have indicated their career plan was to focus on large/food animal or mixed animal veterinary care. In 2023, 5 percent of OSU’s graduating class listed their intended career plans as large/food animal, 28 percent listed mixed animal, and 12 percent did not specify. This, along with farm data projections, allows for a more accurate projection of future need.
“Veterinarians are critical to agricultural profitability, animal health and welfare, and food safety,” said Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, DVM, Director of the Center for Rural Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University and Farm Journal Foundation Veterinary Ambassador. “Oklahoma State University remains committed to our role in addressing rural veterinary shortage and underservice. We look forward to continued collaboration with Oklahoma’s animal industry partners, FJF, and veterinarians in developing methods to address the issue.”
Farm Journal Foundation, in conjunction with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), and funded by the Zoetis Foundation, worked with Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur and her department to complete and disseminate this report.
“Oklahoma’s livestock producers depend on the availability of veterinarians, and our state depends on the livestock industry as a key driver of our state and local economies. This issue affects all Oklahomans as veterinarians play such an important part in producing protein for all consumers,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Blayne Arthur. “This report highlights the significant challenge we face with the shortage of rural veterinarians, but I’m encouraged that it also allows us to make true progress in addressing this problem.”
Farm Journal Foundation’s State and Community Readiness Program is designed to take a comprehensive, fact-based approach to identify the root causes of the shortage of rural, food-systems veterinarians and to develop a wide variety of possible solutions to address those causes. A 2022 report from Farm Journal Foundation found that hundreds of rural counties across the country face shortages of veterinarians to treat livestock and poultry. Shortages stem from several factors, including high levels of student debt that have outpaced potential earnings, especially in the rural U.S., as well as challenges related to work-life balance and financial and business management.
“The contributing factors to rural and food systems veterinary shortages are multifactorial, so therefore require multiple solution paths,” said Todd Greenwood, Vice President Strategic Partnerships, Farm Journal Foundation. “We believe the process begins with collecting and understanding what the data tells us. We find that from high school students to undergraduate pre-vet students, to veterinary students, and early practitioners – there are critical decisions they have to make to move into each of those phases.
Typically there are good programs in each of those phases, but the path across for them is not easy to see. Oklahoma is ahead of many states, and we commend ODAFF Secretary Arthur and the leadership at Oklahoma State University for actively seeking solutions to benefit veterinarians, farmer producers and rural communities.”
About Farm Journal Foundation
Farm Journal Foundation is a farmer-centered nonpartisan organization working to advance agricultural innovation, global food and nutrition security, conservation, and rural economic development. The Foundation believes in a future where agriculture works for everyone – supporting strong farmer livelihoods, business growth, consumer access to nutritious, affordable foods, and the preservation of our country’s natural resources. Achieving this vision starts with conversations – bringing all voices to the table to discuss industry challenges and how innovation can unlock solutions that serve us all. To learn more, visit www.farmjournalfoundation.org.
