America's Growing Crisis: The Worsening Shortage of Large-Animal Veterinarians
A severe shortage of large-animal veterinarians is threatening the health of livestock and the future of agriculture in rural America. According to a 2023 Johns Hopkins study, the United States has lost 90 percent of its large-animal and livestock veterinarians since the end of World War II. As the crisis deepens, farmers and ranchers in rural areas are left struggling to find veterinary care, with some regions lacking access to a veterinarian for miles.
The problem is evident in recent data from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), which reveals that the number of mixed and food animal veterinarians has fallen by 15 percent, while small-animal veterinarians now outnumber large-animal practitioners by more than 8,000. The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture also tracks shortages through its Veterinarian Shortage Situation map, showing that states in the Midwest, West, and Georgia are facing the most significant shortages.
Why is this happening? Several factors contribute to the crisis:
Financial Barriers: The cost of veterinary school is high, leaving many graduates with debt that discourages them from entering the large-animal field, where salaries are often lower than those in small-animal practices. While the mean salary for a food-animal veterinarian is around $100,000, companion animal vets earn more, with an average salary of $133,000.
Challenging Working Conditions: Large-animal veterinarians often work long, unpredictable hours and face physically demanding, sometimes dangerous, conditions. Emergency calls at odd hours and harsh weather take a toll, leading to burnout. The emotional burden of economic euthanasia, where animals are put down due to financial constraints, also weighs heavily on the profession.
Declining Rural Populations: As young people increasingly move to urban areas, fewer individuals are returning to or staying in rural communities, leading to a cultural disconnect. Fewer students are growing up around large animals, and many are discouraged from pursuing a veterinary career in agriculture.
Limited Veterinary School Slots: Veterinary schools have limited space and fierce competition, with many applicants rejected each year. While many students are passionate about animal science, not all schools prioritize large-animal medicine, further reducing the number of new large-animal veterinarians.
The consequences are far-reaching. Without enough veterinary professionals to monitor and treat livestock, the risk of disease outbreaks and improper treatment increases, which could threaten the entire food supply chain.
Efforts are being made to address the shortage, including mentorship programs and loan repayment initiatives like the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, which offers financial incentives for those who commit to working in underserved rural areas. Universities like Texas Tech and Louisiana State University are offering specialized programs to attract students with ties to rural communities, while other organizations provide mentorship and debt relief to support large-animal veterinarians.
Despite these efforts, the shortage remains a critical issue that needs urgent attention. The future of agriculture depends on the availability of these professionals, and without significant investment in education, policy changes, and innovation, the crisis is likely to worsen. The agricultural community and consumers alike must recognize the importance of large-animal veterinarians and take action to ensure their survival.
