State/Territory
Colorado
Shortage Location - Must Serve
Carbon County, Wyoming and Moffat County, Colorado
Shortage Location - May Serve
Sweetwater and Albany Counties, Wyoming
Location Center
182 E Hwy 70 , Baggs, WY, 82321
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
Small Ruminant
Other Must Serve
Other May Serve
Employer
Position Title
Other disciplinary area
Carry Over
Nominator Name
Hallie Hasel, DVM
Nominator Title
Wyoming State Veterinarian
Nominator Org
Wyoming Livestock Board
Nominator Email
Nominator Phone
307-840-1389
Importance/Objectives of Veterinarian
Carbon County lies on Wyoming's southern border, with a total area of 7,964 square miles. The county area borders Colorado to the south; the continental divide runs through the county. Moffat County, Colorado encompasses a total area of 4,751 sq. miles. A large animal veterinarian in this region will significantly benefit local producers and the joint state livestock industry. The need for a food animal veterinarian in this area is tremendous. Carbon County includes approximately 350 ranches raising 95K cattle and nearly 2K horses. Carbon County has very few practicing food animal veterinarians in the county. Moffat County includes another 450 ranches raising 35K cattle and 55K sheep and lambs. Weather conditions experienced in the busiest seasons for food animal veterinary medicine can limit the availability of the few veterinarians to provide the services producers request. Information and services provided by a veterinarian will improve herd health, reproductive efficiency, and nutritional management - all contributing to producer profitability and overall economic growth in an area heavily reliant on animal agriculture. The availability of a large animal practitioner to properly educate producers concerning biosecurity, disease control, herd health programs, animal welfare, and veterinary products will minimize possible devastating adverse events for local operations and Wyoming's livestock industry. Additionally, an accredited large animal practitioner in this area will be an intermediary for regulatory officials and producers - communicating and endorsing state and federal animal health regulations, disease programs, animal welfare, and interstate livestock movement. An accredited veterinarian in this area is vital to the livestock producers in Carbon and Moffat County.
Veterinarian Medical Activities & Services
Carbon and Moffatt Counties have great opportunities for outstanding veterinary entrepreneurship. Potential exists for herd health consultation, production management, embryo transfer, and artificial insemination. Species include beef cattle, small ruminants, and limited swine operations. Operations vary tremendously in size, ranging from 2000-head cattle herds and sheep flocks to backyard livestock enterprises. Spring is busy with obstetrical work, although over time the "calving season" has lengthened, going from mid-January to mid-June. Food animal surgeries include c-sections, urethrotomies/-ostomies, eye enucleations, claw removal, castration, dehorning, abscess treatment, trauma treatment, and lumpectomies. A strong desire exists within the communities for veterinary mentorship regarding livestock management, outreach, and production. Additional mentorship opportunities include livestock events, including 4-H and FFA. Interaction with state and federal veterinarians occurs regularly due to brucellosis surveillance. Tremendous potential also exists for collaboration with federal and state wildlife officials regarding the livestock - wildlife interface on the large percentage of federal land across the county. Producer outreach in conjunction with extension also occurs on a regular basis. Finally, the veterinarian will maintain their federal accreditation, allowing them to perform surveillance and diagnostic testing for state and federal programs and endorse livestock for interstate shipment.
Historical Efforts of Recruiting/Retaining a Veterinarian
Multiple attempts to recruit veterinarians have failed in the last few years. Recruiting veterinarians is difficult due to increased debt and a smaller pool of interested candidates. Wyoming does not currently have a state-funded student loan repayment program. Competing with states with a loan repayment program is challenging, thus Wyoming's need for VMLRP. Because of our low population, the number of "home-grown" candidates tends to be small. Local veterinary clinics offer competitive salaries and other benefits to compete in the mixed practice market. The loan repayment incentive is a substantive motivation Wyoming and Colorado can utilize to attract veterinarians to the state.
Consequences of Not Securing/Retaining a Veterinarian
Wyoming and Colorado must address this veterinary shortage to ensure a safe food supply, specifically for beef cattle coming out of Carbon and Moffatt County. In-person veterinary care is needed to mitigate increased risk to public health threats such as emerging diseases and drug residue exposure. Wyoming's #3 business is agriculture, and Carbon County is representative of Wyoming's ranch culture. Likewise, agriculture drives Colorado. Agriculture in Colorado contributes $47 billion annually to our economy and employs more than 195,000 people. 70% of Colorado agriculture sales are livestock, poultry, and animal product based. Producers need continual veterinary care, advice on preventive medicine, and production management recommendations for their animals. We continue to lose more food animal veterinarians annually than we are able to hire. Without access to veterinarians, our producers are unable to test their cattle in a timely manner, resulting in economic loss. Food animal veterinarians are needed for continually increasing regulations regarding veterinary feed directives and antibiotic usage, along with the continued demand for organic, grass-fed beef and niche marketing, difficult with the harsh winters we receive. Increasing interaction between livestock and wildlife due to changing land use continues to present challenges for Wyoming producers. Food animal veterinarians are ideally poised to offer education and outreach, along with specifically designed herd health plans, to keep our producers economically viable. Food animal veterinary medical professionals are an integral component of livestock industries. Without them, producers, local communities, and the people of Wyoming and Colorado suffer economically and are subject to increased risk of disease incidents.
Community Aspects
The attractions for a new veterinarian to move to this geographic area are numerous. The access to public lands makes many popular outdoor activities readily available such as camping, hiking, paddle-boarding, fishing, hunting, snow-shoeing, and many others. Other attractions include welcoming and supportive communities that share and contribute to the way of life unique to this area. Carbon County is a centrally located area of Wyoming. Though remote, Carbon County is arguably the finest outdoor recreation area in Wyoming. Nestled between the Snowy Range and Sierra Madre Mountains, Carbon County offers breathtaking natural beauty and outdoor activities year-round. The riches of Moffat County include Dinosaur National Monument, the wild horses of Sand Wash Basin, and one of the best outdoor collections of ancient rock art created by early nomads. Some of Colorado's best river canyons are located in Dinosaur National Monument, rivaling those of the Grand Canyon. Wildlife in the area include elk, moose, black bear, antelope, and big horn sheep. Flowing through the area, the 60 miles of North Platte River between the Wyoming and the town of Saratoga is all considered a Blue-Ribbon trout fishery and wild trout fishery. The river has not been stocked since 1979. Carbon County's county seat is the hardworking city of Rawlins, population 8200. Moffat County's county seat, Craig, boasts shops, parks, museums—and the only wave pool west of the Continental Divide. Other nearby visitor attractions include natural hot springs and fine dining at the Historic Hotel Wolf. Exploring further into Wyoming offers access to majestic Yellowstone National Park, towering Grand Teton National Park, blue ribbon wild trout rivers, national-best elk and antelope hunting, and premier dining and western experience events from Jackson Hole to Cody to Sheridan.