State/Territory
Minnesota
Shortage Location - Must Serve
Blue Earth and Faribault Counties
Shortage Location - May Serve
Freeborn, Martin, Nicollet, Waseca and Watonwan Counties
Location Center
Blue Earth, MN
VSGP Status
Open
VMLRP Status
(Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program)
Open
Priority of shortage
High
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
Dairy Cattle
Other Must Serve
May serve
Swine
Poultry
Small Ruminant
Other May Serve
Horses, Farmed Cervidae
Employer
Position Title
Other disciplinary area
Carry Over
Nominator Name
Courtney Wheeler
Nominator Title
Assistant Director
Nominator Org
Minnesota Board of Animal Health
Nominator Email
Nominator Phone
612-756-2810
Importance/Objectives of Veterinarian
The veterinarian serving in this shortage situation area will provide continuity of veterinary services to the more than 5,000 premises with livestock. Minnesota Board of Animal Health premises registration data estimates that his area is home to more than 1,400 cattle premises and 1,600 premises with swine. More than 100,000 head of cattle are farmed in this area (National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2022).
Veterinarian Medical Activities & Services
A veterinarian meeting this shortage situation will perform multiple duties including disease diagnosis, performing surgical and obstetrical procedures, pregnancy testing, developing and implementing vaccination programs, performing diagnostics and necropsies, prescribing appropriate drugs, feed ingredient oversight, and providing emergency services. The veterinarian will be responsible for establishment of veterinarian-client-patient-relationships advising on judicious use and oversight of administration of antibiotics as dictated by the Food and Drug Administration Veterinary Feed Directive. Additional accredited duties will be performed on a consistent basis including monitoring herd health programs, conducting state and federal disease surveillance testing and issuing Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs). Veterinarians in this area will play a key role in providing expertise and conducting disease surveillance testing for livestock in the event of an emerging or foreign animal disease outbreak. A veterinarian in this area will have ample opportunities to become involved in organized veterinary medical associations, local service organizations, local governmental organizations or local health boards to support his/her community and promote the veterinary profession.
Historical Efforts of Recruiting/Retaining a Veterinarian
This shortage situation has been nominated multiple times. The nomination was filled, but the serving veterinarian elected to leave the area for a more lucrative career in Minnesota's metro. This shortage situation is centered in Faribault County which only has one veterinary practice serving livestock producers. This practice's single veterinarian has worked well past retirement and in and effort to continue to provide continuity of care to his clients publicly offered to give away his practice, equipment, furniture, and his pickup. Community businesses actively advocate to recruit and retain a veterinarian at this practice to continue to meet the needs of area livestock producers.
Consequences of Not Securing/Retaining a Veterinarian
Producers in this area have expressed significant concerns about access to emergency services should this veterinarian retire without a replacement. It is imperative that practices in this rural, under-served area are able to recruit and retain veterinarians to maintain economic stability for their practices and the people that they serve. Decreased availability of veterinary care will result in proliferation of disease, increased reproductive losses, diminishing animal welfare and disease spread. Producers will be more likely to administer treatments without the advice of a veterinary professional perpetuating the risk of food contamination or development of bacterial resistance. Sufficient veterinary involvement in food animal production systems is critical in advancing animal and public health disease prevention and treatment.
Community Aspects
This shortage nomination is in tight knit and supportive community which prides itself on agriculture. The fertile soil and proximity to rivers continues to provide opportunities for agriculture entrepreneurs. The relaxed lifestyle and picturesque landscape in this area draws many residents and visitors. The area is rich in Native American and Minnesota culture and has many educational opportunities for children and young adults. An important objective for filling this position is to recruit a veterinarian who will become a long-term resident of the community, contribute to the local economy, and develop and maintain working relationships with livestock producers and allied businesses.