State/Territory
South Dakota
Shortage Location - Must Serve
WNW SD: Harding Perkins Ziebach Meade Butte Lawrence
Shortage Location - May Serve
West Central SD: Dewey Stanley Haakon Corson
Location Center
Faith, SD 57626
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.)
80
Type of Shortage
(Veterinary Practice Area / Discipline / Specialty)
Type I Shortage: Private Practice Food Animal Medicine
Must serve
Beef Cattle
Other Must Serve
May serve
Small Ruminant
Other May Serve
equine bison
Employer
Position Title
Other disciplinary area
Carry Over
Nominator Name
Beth S. Thompson, JD, DVM
Nominator Title
SAHO
Nominator Org
SD AIB
Nominator Email
Nominator Phone
605-773-3321
Importance/Objectives of Veterinarian
As of Jan 1, 2023, all cattle and calves in SD totaled 3.55 million head. The NW and Central West area of SD is rural area, with 300,000+ cattle (2023 NASS data, some counties not reporting). The area supports many ranches, with few towns or other population centers. There are major cattle markets located in this area, that serve ranchers both the state of SD and neighboring states. At least 6 auction markets are in this area, with over 700,000 cattle moved through those markets last year. In addition, there are approximately 100,000 sheep moved through those same markets along with other species. Ranchers rely on horses for their work, with over 16,000 horses in the area (NASS 2017 data). Meade and Perkins County support approximately 2,000 bison.
Veterinarian Medical Activities & Services
Private veterinary work includes the following: 1. Routine vaccination, herd health and wellness checks including bull exams 2. Traceability and record keeping assistance 3. Response and assistance in reportable disease events (TB, anthrax, FADs) 4. Antibiotic and other treatment prescriptions and VFDs 5. Related areas of veterinary assistance including biosecurity, nutrition, animal husbandry and welfare. Auction market work includes the following: 1. Change of ownership forms (SD specific) 2. Certificates of veterinary inspection 3. Inspection of animals at the market 3. Compliance with state and federal livestock identification requirements 4. Farmer/rancher education 5. Possible private veterinary work at the chute (pregnancy checking, vaccinations, etc.)
Historical Efforts of Recruiting/Retaining a Veterinarian
There have been numerous posting by veterinary clinics in the past, with one currently active with the South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association. Clinics in this area have offered affordable ownership options, fully stocked vet trucks and state of the art equipment. This area contains a prior VMLRP nominated shortage area, which did not receive any applicants. With the high cost of student loan payments, it is difficult to attract and retain new graduates to rural areas of the state.
Consequences of Not Securing/Retaining a Veterinarian
The consequences of this position not being secured or retained are high for the beef cattle industry in the state, and ultimately for the US cattle herd. With the significant number of cattle in this area of the state and the amount of cattle movement between states, additional trained veterinary medical staff are needed to assist ranchers. Whether a foreign animal disease is found, or reportable disease is diagnosed, there is a significant need for oversight of a veterinarian. Food animal veterinarians can assist individual ranchers with husbandry, nutrition, identification of herd issues, and are a key to providing education to these rural areas. A veterinarian in this area is the link to the regulatory staff in the state, and would assist for foreign animal and reportable diseases, costly endemic diseases and -importantly- diseases that are zoonotic.
Community Aspects
This area of SD is known for strong community ties, and ranchers and families dedicated to their livestock. Outdoor activities include horseback riding, hunting (game and gamebird), hiking, camping and snowmobiling. Families will be welcomed into 4H and other youth groups. Rodeos and horse shows are common. This geographic area borders on the Black Hills and the Badlands. The Missouri River is a short drive, and offers many activities and areas to explore.