State/Territory
Idaho
Shortage Location - Must Serve
Custer, Butte, Lemhi County, Idaho
Shortage Location - May Serve
Location Center
Challis (83226)
VSGP Status
Open
VMLRP Status
(Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program)
Open
Priority of shortage
Critical
Fiscal year
Percent FTE
(Full Time Equivalent, based on a 40hr work week.)
30
Type of Shortage
(Veterinary Practice Area / Discipline / Specialty)
Type II Shortage: Private Practice – Rural Area Food Animal Medicine
Must serve
Beef Cattle
Other Must Serve
May serve
Small Ruminant
Other May Serve
Employer
Position Title
Other disciplinary area
Carry Over
Nominator Name
Scott Leibsle
Nominator Title
State Veterinarian
Nominator Org
Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture
Nominator Email
Nominator Phone
208.332.8540
Importance/Objectives of Veterinarian
This 3-county area (11,740 sq miles) of predominantly agricultural parcels overlapping state/federal lands (supporting a predominant agriculture-based economy) has a disproportionate number of resident cattle compared to available large animal vets and large animal services. This area has a cattle population of over 77,000 head of mostly beef cattle (NASS 2023) with a combined population of only 15,244 people. There is one mixed animal clinic (with three vets) located in this area. The next closest ambulatory practice is a full county away and only provides service to half of Butte county. The existing clinic is looking to expand services to include a satellite clinic to reestablish vet services that were lost when a long tenured vet died unexpectedly 2 years ago. Livestock owners still often have to rely upon distant ambulatory practices to support their herd work while emergency coverage is nearly non-existent. These counties consist of a variety of rural communities with strong ties to agriculture. Specifically, beef cattle producers are in need of more consistent veterinary care with the ability to respond to emergencies in a timely manner. As this area now includes a new brucellosis herd recently identified in Idaho, which will require significant testing and management, it is critical to retain adequate veterinary services in the area to allow for proper surveillance of all test eligible cattle.
Veterinarian Medical Activities & Services
Routine Beef (cow/calf and feedlot) Herd Health and veterinary medical/surgical services. Routine Sheep/Goat Herd Health, veterinary medical/surgical services. As this area serves a portion of Idaho's Designated Surveillance Area for brucellosis, veterinarians are intimately involved in brucellosis control activities (i.e. - brucellosis vaccination, testing and education). Idaho is a large dairy production state and veterinarians conduct TB/brucellosis testing regularly on dairies or cattle that consigned for international export. While an important aspect of the veterinarian's life is built around one's day-to-day practice, it is equally important to be involved in one's community. During the "business" part of the day, a rural mixed animal practitioner can be found providing a variety of veterinary services expected with a rural lifestyle. One may be pregnancy checking a cow one minute, providing birthing assistance to a ewe the next, and issuing a CVI the next, all the while diligently keeping watch for epidemiological veterinary health concerns. A rural veterinary lifestyle does not end with the "work day". Many veterinarians serve on local community boards, are involved with civic groups, and are leaders in their communities. Service opportunities, both veterinary and non-veterinary, surround the rural veterinary lifestyle.
Historical Efforts of Recruiting/Retaining a Veterinarian
Advertisements in professional magazines such as JAVMA and Bovine Practitioner • Advertisements in State VMA newsletter and website • Postings on job boards at veterinary meetings & veterinary colleges • AVMA matching program • Networking within veterinary community, allied (pharmaceutical) and animal industry personnel • Contacting veterinary colleges • Offering externships to veterinary students • Mentoring veterinary students
Consequences of Not Securing/Retaining a Veterinarian
The following are areas of potential concern / risks given the agricultural base of the community: • Control of regulated diseases such as Brucellosis, Tuberculosis and Trichomoniasis. This region is of particular importance because the area includes a portion of Idaho's Designated Surveillance Area for brucellosis. It is absolutely critical that Idaho maintains large animal services around this eastern portion of the state to maintain compliance with all the provisions of the Brucellosis Surveillance and Management Program, which include testing and vaccination of cattle and bison. Given the risk of reappearance of these diseases in Idaho; the need to protect from the economically devastating consequences, that would impact the entire state...not just this region... must remain a priority. • Public safety Rural communities often "grow their own food source" Many residents are hobby farmers who raise small numbers of cattle, sheep and goats for home consumption. Providing adequate veterinary care for these animals is fundamental to the health of the rural Idaho family. • Minimizing Disease Transmission Beef management practices in Idaho necessitate grazing of cattle on public range lands. Although this practice is fundamental to the producer's viability, it allows for commingling of cattle and potential for disease transmission as well as the risk of exposure to affected wildlife. The risk of disease transmission is accentuated by this areas proximity to Idaho's Designated Surveillance Area for brucellosis. Providing access to qualified veterinary care and diligent surveillance programs are critical to minimizing this risk. With the aging of the current food animal veterinary workforce, it is critical that we take steps to maintain the availability of qualified food animal veterinarians in this area into the future.
Community Aspects
Central Idaho is home to some of Idaho's most dramatic scenery. From Redfish Lake to the Salmon River, central Idaho has no shortage of thrilling whitewater, alpine lakes, jagged mountain peaks, wildflower-filled meadows and historic mountain towns. With the first and only International Dark Sky Reserve, the stargazing in Central Idaho is some of the very best in the world. Locations like Challis, offer four full seasons of activities where friendly locals, outdoor adventures and diverse natural beauty are all within reach in this town of 1,000. Challis is the ideal base camp for recreating in the vast 3 million acres of Custer County, in the heart of Central Idaho. Home to nationwide endurance runs, festivals in the foothills and unmatched scenery, Challis is a statewide favorite to experience all that an Idaho small town can offer. Just to the north, Salmon is a spectacular scenic mountain-town located on the outskirts of Idaho's Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, with rustic origins in mining, lumbering and family ranching. Over the years, Salmon has evolved into a vibrant collection of art galleries, restaurants, and a community of adventurists that can only exist in a place that offers this much outdoor recreation. Outdoor thrill-seekers come from all over the world to raft the Main Salmon and Middle Fork of the Salmon, River and folks around here are happy to accommodate you and yours with great food & great hotels. For more information on central Idaho, go to: https://visitidaho.org/regions/central/