State/Territory
Minnesota
Shortage Location - Must Serve
Lyon, Lincoln and Yellow Medicine Counties
Shortage Location - May Serve
Location Center
Taunton, MN
VSGP Status
Open
VMLRP Status
(Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program)
Open
Priority of shortage
Moderate
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
Small Ruminant
Other Must Serve
May serve
Swine
Other May Serve
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
Minnesota Board of Animal Health premises registration data estimates that there are more than 900 premises with cattle, more than 300 with swine and poultry and more than 200 with small ruminants in this three county shortage situation. Veterinarians in the area report a consistent base of progressive livestock producers who focus on ruminant reproduction, controlled breeding programs and pregnancy care. A veterinarian is needed to continue to support these producers in their endeavors to improve livestock health and vitality in Minnesota.
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.
Historical Efforts of Recruiting/Retaining a Veterinarian
This shortage situation is in a very rural region of Minnesota making it difficult to attract and retain food animal veterinary staff. Our clinics report high turnover making it difficult to establish and maintain quality available veterinary services.
Consequences of Not Securing/Retaining a Veterinarian
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 situation provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities and community participation. This area of Minnesota is traversed by the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, small streams winding through scenic valleys and tall, wooded bluffs. Veterinary clinics in the area strive to be progressive and offer opportunities for advanced training in herd health and reproduction.