These two counties (2,530 sq miles) are home to nearly 485,000 total cattle with a 50/50 split between dairy and beef and 91 Grade A dairies (2500 head per dairy average). (NASS/ISDA 2024). The south central portion of Idaho that includes these 2 counties contains the greatest concentration of total cattle in the entire state. Continued expansion of cattle operations (beef and dairy) in this region of Idaho (growth of >70,000 dairy head in last 5 years) has overburdened the existing clinics to where many have stopped accepting new clients and/or limited their practice focus towards dairy. In Twin Falls county, the main large animal clinic have been refusing new clients for over 2 years. In the past 2 years, 5 full-time production vets have either retired or moved away, 3 more are over the age of 60, and at least 2 vets have experienced major illness in the last 3 years and have not yet returned to full practice. Two more vets in the area have already announced their intention to retire/discontinue practice in the next 6 months. A brand-new slaughter plant in Jerome County opened in the last year that is specifically geared towards beef/fed cattle (minimal dairy cull cattle) in response to the significant growth of the beef industry in this region. The cattle industry in this region is the nerve center for the entire state and desperately needs to recruit more vets. The reality is that most Idaho dairies are diversifying their business to incorporate beef genetics into their breeding program to improve carcass quality so as the dairy industry grows, the beef industry grows right along with it and requires veterinary services to support it.
South-central Idaho has a heavy emphasis towards dairy cattle, which results in most of the production veterinarians to focus their practice towards dairy, with less availability of support for beef producers. The practitioner for this shortage must be proficient in: Routine Beef (cow/calf, feedlot, growers) Nutrition, Genetics and Health Management Consultation; Herd Health and veterinary medical/surgical services including, but not limited to basic management techniques, animal handling and herd health work including pregnancy testing, bull soundness examinations, brucellosis vaccination and developing vaccination protocols. 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 the community. During the "business" part of the day, a rural beef practitioner can be found providing a variety of different veterinary services to clients, depending upon the size and type of ranch or feedlot.
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 • Networking within veterinary community, allied (pharmaceutical) and animal industry personnel • Contacting veterinary colleges • Offering externships to veterinary students
Idaho’s agriculture industry is estimated to generate $20 billion annually. For a state with a population of only 1.8 million people, agriculture is both directly and indirectly the economic backbone for the majority of Idaho citizens and businesses and especially integral to the local economies, comprising 17% of total economic output and 12.5% GDP. Idaho ranks as the #3 dairy state in the nation (NASS 2023) for cheese and milk production, as well as number of dairy cattle. For overall cattle numbers, Idaho ranks 11 (NASS 2023). Due to the state’s infrastructure, that includes food animal veterinarians, Idaho enjoys a strong export market for dairy products ($474 million) and beef products ($191 million). Food animal veterinarians are critical to maintain Idaho’s safe and wholesome food supply. Their efforts with the livestock industry are integral in preventing disease and early detection in the event of a disease outbreak in the most densely populated area of the entire state for Grade A dairies and beef feedlots. The impact of a cattle foreign animal disease in this region cannot be overstated - it would cripple the dairy and beef industry in Idaho. Food animal veterinarians are a trusted resource in rural communities throughout the state. Without the cooperation and assistance of federally accredited food animal veterinarians to conduct disease surveillance, along with the state and federal regulatory agencies, Idaho could not maintain a safe and wholesome food supply for the public and for our domestic and international trading partners. There are also two livestock markets located within this shortage area, one of which is the largest in the state, but all are critical to maintaining livestock commerce in this region of the state.
South Central Idaho is home to some of the state's deepest canyons, highest bluffs, unusual rock formations and lava flows! South central Idaho is a geologist’s dream, but its terrain also delivers big adventure opportunities. At the heart of the region’s recreation is the mighty Snake River—and the Perrine Bridge that towers 500 feet over the Snake River Canyon and is a hot spot for thrill-seeking BASE jumpers. Idaho’s Snake River Canyon is home to Shoshone Falls, a 212 ft waterfall located near Twin Falls. The canyon spans for dozens of miles, and runs the entire length of town. Waterfalls rush down the canyon walls, and orange colored walls are decorated with moss and ferns; sometimes even huckleberries! The Sawtooth Forest includes Twin Falls, Fairfield, Ketchum and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area near Stanley. The Fores boasts 1,100 lakes and more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams. The Salmon, South Fork of the Boise, South Fork of the Payette, and the Wood River are some of the major rivers that run through the forest. The congressionally designated 754,000-acre Sawtooth National Recreation Area is a part of the Sawtooth National Forest. In Southern Idaho the South Hills, Albion Mountains and the Fairfield area provide some of the best National Forest landscapes and one of the world's best ski destinations, Sun Valley Ski Resort. For more information on South Idaho, go to: https://visitidaho.org/regions/south-central/