Insight into the Shortage of Food Animal Veterinarians

Abstract

A survey of Nebraska veterinarians was conducted to study factors that influence veterinarians in their choice of practice type and location, e.g. food animal or small animal veterinary practice, and the type of community where they practice, i.e. urban or rural. Objectives of the study were to determine if possible veterinary college admission criteria could be identified to improve selection of students that will ultimately pursue food animal and rural practices, and whether programs in veterinary medical colleges significantly influenced food animal and rural veterinary practice decisions of these graduates. Background characteristics significantly associated with food animal practice included: male, grew up on a working farm or ranch, parents had livestock, hometown population of 10,000 or less, and interest in food animal practice at time of admission to veterinary medical college.