State/Territory
Utah
Shortage Location - Must Serve
Uinta and Sweetwater Counties, Wyoming and Daggett County, Utah
Location Center
Mountain View, Wyoming
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
(minimum 50% of time)
Beef Cattle
Small Ruminant
Nominator Name
Hallie Hasel
Nominator Title
Wyoming State Veterinarian
Nominator Org
Wyoming Livestock Board
Nominator Email
Nominator Phone
307-840-1389
Importance/Objectives of Veterinarian
Uinta and Sweetwater Counties, Wyoming, and Daggett County, Utah are critical regions for livestock production, especially beef cattle and small ruminant operations. Bordering Wyoming’s Brucellosis Designated Surveillance Area (DSA), these counties require regular veterinary oversight to manage disease transmission risks. This is particularly for brucellosis surveillance, which is mandatory for cattle within the DSA and for cattle changing ownership or moving on state agreement commuter permits.
Uinta County supports approximately 37,000 cattle and 31,000 sheep on nearly 400 ranches, Sweetwater County adds 17,500 cattle across 185 ranches, and Daggett County, Utah, contributes an additional 1,695 cattle across 49 farms. Over 70% of Uinta and Sweetwater lands are federally or state-managed, requiring common grazing allotments. In Daggett County, about 39% of farmland is irrigated, intensifying interactions between livestock and wildlife and raising the risk of communicable diseases. The veterinarian shortage exacerbates these challenges, with veterinarians often traveling long distances to provide essential services.
Adverse weather during peak seasons, like calving and lambing, further restricts access, placing producers at risk. Without a dedicated food animal veterinarian, producers struggle with timely interventions, herd health planning, and preventive care. An additional large animal veterinarian is vital for educating producers on biosecurity, disease prevention, and reproductive management to ensure the region's economic viability in livestock production.
Veterinarian Medical Activities & Services
A veterinarian serving Uinta, Sweetwater, and Daggett Counties must offer a broad range of large animal services, including care for beef cattle and small ruminant operations. Local producers need herd health consultations, disease prevention strategies, biosecurity planning, and reproduction services like artificial insemination and embryo transfer. These services are essential for maintaining livestock health and productivity, particularly given the proximity to Wyoming’s Brucellosis Designated Surveillance Area (DSA), which requires strict disease surveillance and testing.
In addition to routine care, the veterinarian must be proficient in food animal surgeries and trauma treatments. Emergency care during calving and lambing seasons is critical, especially as weather conditions often limit access. The veterinarian will educate producers on animal welfare, preventive medicine, and herd management practices, thereby enhancing herd reproductive efficiency and nutritional health.
The veterinarian must also maintain accreditation to perform diagnostic testing for state and federal disease programs, authorize livestock for interstate movement, and ensure compliance with Veterinary Feed Directives (VFDs) and antibiotic regulations. Regular collaboration with state and federal wildlife and veterinary officials is necessary to address wildlife-livestock interactions, especially in Daggett County, where 39% of farmland is irrigated, facilitating close contact between livestock and wildlife.
Outreach and mentorship are essential in this rural area. The veterinarian will engage with local producers, 4-H, and FFA programs to provide education in livestock management. Collaboration with Central Wyoming College and Western Wyoming Community College will support sustainable agricultural practices.
Historical Efforts of Recruiting/Retaining a Veterinarian
Efforts to recruit and retain veterinarians in Uinta, Sweetwater, and Daggett Counties have faced challenges. Veterinary clinics have engaged students through externships, providing hands-on experience to encourage them to return as full-time veterinarians. Despite these efforts, the rural nature of the area and limited loan repayment options make recruitment difficult. Veterinarians often travel from neighboring counties, sometimes up to two hours, to meet demand for large animal care across these counties. Local clinics offer competitive salaries and benefits, but programs like VMLRP remain critical to attracting and retaining veterinarians in this shortage area.
Consequences of Not Securing/Retaining a Veterinarian
Large animal veterinary care in Uinta, Sweetwater, and Daggett Counties is crucial. The shortage of veterinarians poses risks to the food supply and to animal and environmental health. These counties' proximity to Wyoming's Brucellosis Designated Surveillance Area (DSA) demands rigorous disease monitoring and control. Without adequate veterinary care, there could be restrictions on cattle movements, financial losses for producers, and harm to Wyoming's and Utah’s beef industry reputation.
The lack of timely veterinary care also raises the risk of outbreaks of other infectious diseases that could spread to both livestock and wildlife. The high level of wildlife-livestock interaction in this region, especially in Daggett County due to the high proportion of irrigated land, complicates disease control efforts. Veterinarians play a critical role in biosecurity, vaccination, and treatment protocols, educating producers on herd health and disease prevention strategies. Without a veterinarian, these essential services would be compromised, increasing the vulnerability to disease outbreaks that could affect both local and interstate markets.
The economies of Wyoming and Utah rely heavily on agriculture, and Uinta, Sweetwater, and Daggett Counties exemplify the two states’ ranching culture. Without veterinary access, producers face delays in herd testing and treatment, decreasing productivity and causing financial losses. The demand for organic, grass-fed beef and niche markets further requires specialized veterinary care to meet food safety and production standards.
Given these risks, the shortage of veterinarians in Uinta, Sweetwater, and Daggett Counties is a critical priority. Recruiting and retaining veterinarians is essential to protect livestock health, safeguard public health, and ensure economic stability in this region.
Community Aspects
Uinta, Sweetwater, and Daggett Counties offer a unique blend of outdoor adventure, natural beauty, and close-knit communities, making this region appealing for veterinarians seeking both professional fulfillment and personal enjoyment. Access to the Wyoming Range, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, and the vast Red Desert provides unparalleled outdoor opportunities. Activities like hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, hunting, and fishing abound, with the Green River and Flaming Gorge offering excellent fly-fishing and Daggett County known for its vibrant recreation scene.
For those seeking a rural yet connected lifestyle, Uinta County is just over an hour from Salt Lake City International Airport, ensuring access to urban amenities while maintaining a small-town feel. Sweetwater County, with Rock Springs and Green River, and Daggett County’s small, tight-knit communities, foster a welcoming atmosphere focused on family values and local events.
With strong ranching traditions, veterinarians here will find camaraderie among producers and opportunities to become part of the community. Local 4-H and FFA programs, along with nearby Western Wyoming Community College, offer mentorship opportunities to engage with youth and contribute to the next generation of agricultural professionals.
The three counties provide an ideal balance of professional opportunity and quality of life for those valuing open spaces, abundant wildlife, and a close connection to nature, making this region an attractive destination for a dedicated food animal veterinarian.
Page last updated: February 6, 2025