State/Territory
Nebraska
Shortage Location - Must Serve
Scotts Bluff, Morrill
Shortage Location - May Serve
Banner, Kimball
Location Center
Bayard
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.)
60
Type of Shortage
(Veterinary Practice Area / Discipline / Specialty)
Type II Shortage: Private Practice – Rural Area Food Animal Medicine
Must serve
Beef Cattle
Other Must Serve
May serve
Small Ruminant
Other May Serve
Employer
Position Title
Other disciplinary area
Carry Over
Nominator Name
Roger Dudley
Nominator Title
State Veterinarian
Nominator Org
Nebraska Dept of Ag
Nominator Email
Nominator Phone
402-875-0594
Importance/Objectives of Veterinarian
The objectives of the veterinarian filling the shortage situation are to assist in maintaining and improving overall animal welfare; maintaining the health of animals that contribute to an abundant, wholesome food supply; and maintaining and improving the veterinarian to food animal ratio. Further objectives include fulfilling the obligations of regulatory medicine for state and federal governments. The state hopes to mitigate vulnerability to emerging animal diseases by maintaining an appropriate veterinarian to animal ratio. These four counties cover approximately 3,900 square mile area and contain 309,100 cattle and calves, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service report from May 8, 2023. The 2017 Census of Agriculture indicates there are 2975 sheep, lambs, and goats in the area. Kimball, Banner, Scotts Bluff, Morrill counties had three veterinarians request the shortage area. They made no mention of other veterinarians in the area practicing food animal veterinarians who service this area. The concern is maintaining an appropriate animal to veterinarian ratio. Also, with services needed at greater distances, less veterinarians mean they are being stretched thin due to drive time.
Veterinarian Medical Activities & Services
Much of the activities for a new veterinarian servicing this area would be geared toward treating cattle. These would include doing pregnancy checks (both arm and ultrasound methods), vaccinations, handling cattle, doing blood work, doing surgeries as needed and mitigating/identifying diseases. There will also be an occasional need to attend to the medical needs of sheep and goats. The veterinarian is expected to help assist state and federal officials in protecting against domestic and foreign contagious animal diseases.
Historical Efforts of Recruiting/Retaining a Veterinarian
One veterinarian from the area said "I am currently filling a contract for Scotts Bluff, Morrill, Box Butte, Sioux counties. There is one food animal veterinarian that I know of practicing there and that person is reaching retirement age. " One other commented "I have been trying to hire an associate for 7 years and have had a total of 3 interviewees! My practice is losing large animal clients because we can NOT provide service to them since I cannot get a vet hired." "For 24 years I have done cows. I pregged 400 heifers today and now I am sore. Who will fill my shoes?" asked another.
Consequences of Not Securing/Retaining a Veterinarian
This is an area where the economy is driven primarily by the beef industry. There is also a growing number of small ruminants. Therefore without an appropriate ratio of veterinarians to food animals those animals would be more susceptible to injury, disease and other medical needs. It is also imperative to have an appropriate ratio of food animals to veterinarians to assure vigilance for possible emerging and foreign animal diseases coming into the area.
Community Aspects
These counties in the panhandle of Nebraska are unique. The Platte River Basin lands are public lands that are not only beautiful, but also great for outdoor activities, hiking and hunting. The entire area has miles of hiking and outdoor spaces for families. The Western Nebraska Pioneers Minor League wood bat baseball club is great family entertainment. Heritage historians will enjoy Chimney Rock, the Oregon Trail and Scotts Bluff National Monument. The area has great youth programs with 4-H and all the agriculture programs available through the extension service and the public schools. The Wildcat Hills is an amazing recreational area to explore. There is a great opportunity to see wildlife and to visit the shooting range. They will also be adding disc golf in the near future. The Monument Shadows Golf Course is perfect for those wanting to improve their golf score, but also explore history as the course has a gorgeous view of the Monument. The Legacy of the Plains Museum is not only local history, but also a wonderful exhibit for agriculture and unique equipment. They are currently adding multiple building and exhibits to their campus. Special Local events include: Old West Balloon Fest, the Monument Marathon, The Robidoux Rendezvous and The Harvest Festival.