It is past the middle of January and 60+ days away from spring (March 20) but who is counting. If you are like me, you are likely dreaming on the longer warmer days of spring, but every season has its purpose even winter. Winter is a good time for planning and prepping for a new growing season. Winter is also a time when nature is supposed to keep a hand to help control plant and insect species that like to feast on our crops, gardens, livestock, and humans.
As our winter season continue to feature above normal temperatures and higher humidity levels, invasive plants such as bush honey suckle and Japanese honey suckle continue to thrive, other pest that such as termites, ladybugs, stink bugs, and cockroaches are not phased much by the winter winds. Another pest to be aware of during the winter is ticks, yes, some species of ticks are winter hardy and can be a risk for livestock, pets, and humans. The blacklegged tick is one that can be very active during the winter months attaching to its prey and vectoring diseases such as Lyme’s disease. Don’t let your guard down, check yourself after working outside or taking winter hike.
Another threat to livestock and their stewards don’t grow in our pastures or suck our blood but instead could hurt your bottom line when livestock get sick. What I am referring to is the lack of large animal veterinarians. Recently I came across a well written article by Clinton L. Neill PH.D. and assistant professor in veterinary Economics for the Cornell Center of Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship. The title of the article was “Addressing the Persistent Shortage of Food Animal Veterinarians and Its Impact on Rual Communities”. I would recommend you read the article for yourself but here are the key points I would like to share.
1. In 2021 the USDA identified 200 shortages across 500 rural counties that had no access to food animal veterinarians, and many have been vacant for 5+ years.
2. Only 3-4% of new veterinarian science graduates actually become food animal veterinarians in the last 20 years.
3. Three key factors effecting the food animal veterinarian shortages include increasing student dept, slightly lower number of students enrolling in food animal veterinarian science courses and graduating, and rapidly growing companion animal sector offering higher wages with less labor.
4. 40 years ago, 40% of veterinarians focused on food animal related practices.
5. 41% of food animal veterinarian graduate students graduate with $200,000 in student dept. The averaged dept to income ratio is 2.6 with a average salary of $84,000- $110,000 a year (earn every bit of it).
6. Factors such as higher cost of living, consolidation of livestock farms, less labor force, and lower revenue streams have prevented new veterinary start up business in rural communities.
Mr. Neill offered some potential solutions or at least helpful suggestions that could go a long way in restoring the growing problem of food animal veterinary shortages.
· Expand funding for the veterinarian Medical Loan repayment program established in 2003.
· Provide loan repayment tax free awards to veterinarians who agree to work in public sectors and rural areas
· Establish low interest business loans for food animal private practices.
· Support schools by enhancing training opportunities and actively recruiting students from rural backgrounds.
This article was a great reminder how important food animal veterinarians are not only to food security but for our small rural communities that still rely on the services of food animal veterinarians. As new antibiotic regulations and increasing pressures of producing health animals more efficiently, I truly believe it is more important than ever for young people to pursue a career in food animal veterinary science. If you have a young family member interested in pursuing a career in food animal veterinary services, support them all the way!!
Dates to remember:
· 2023 Pesticide/Fertilizer Applicator recertification training January 26 at The Ohio Valley Career and Technical School, 5 – 9 p.m. Call to register (937) 544-2339
· February 1 – Meet your local farm agencies- At the Ohio Valley Career and Technical center 6 – 8 p.m. Call (937) 544-2339 to register
Ag Educator Words of encouragement – “Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call her own” Samuel Johnson