MANHATTAN, Kansas — Concerns about a shortage of rural veterinarians have been discussed across agriculture for many years. A recent assessment report produced by the Farm Journal Foundation for the Kansas Department of Agriculture has analyzed data in an effort to identify the root causes of the rural and food systems veterinarian shortage.
The report included findings and assessment related to veterinary licensing and practices, veterinary workforce and education, available federal assistance programs, and Kansas farm and livestock data. Kansas is one of three states which took part in this pilot program to assess veterinary readiness, along with Oklahoma and Indiana.
“The Kansas livestock sector relies upon skilled veterinarians to protect the health of animals on Kansas farms and ranches,” said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam. “It is important that we have an informed understanding of the challenges facing us in order to address the veterinarian shortage. We look forward to using this information to take the next steps toward a veterinary workforce that can serve our state.”
The assessment will contribute to the work of the Kansas Rural Veterinarian Task Force, which has been seeking solutions to this challenge for several years. The task force includes participation from several ag industry and educational organizations which have an interest in addressing the veterinary needs of rural communities.
“We understand there’s a need for rural veterinary clinics and rural vet support, and we’ve been working for several years to continue to try to define that need and come up with potential solutions,” said Dr. Brad White, director of the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University. “This assessment report is a key part of that process.”
The task force will use this new information to build on the work that has been done in recent years, including the expansion of the Veterinary Training Program for rural Kansas and the creation of a Food Animal Veterinary Certificate at the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine. This report will help to enhance the task force’s knowledge about the veterinary shortage and will contribute to the development of solutions by identifying gaps and possible assistance opportunities.
To view the assessment report, go to agriculture.ks.gov/SpecialReports. For more information, please contact KDA Deputy Secretary Kelsey Olson at 785-564-6700 or Kelsey.Olson@ks.gov.
