Rural America has been short on an adequate supply of veterinarians for some time. Because of that, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced new actions to help increase the number of rural food animal veterinarians across the U.S.

“Food animal veterinarians currently make up about five percent, only 5 percent of the total veterinarian population, a stark decline from just 40 years ago. So today, USDA, right here at the Mississippi State Veterinarian headquarters, is issuing the Rural Veterinary Shortage Action Plan. We are enhancing and streamlining the USDA’s veterinary grant programs. We are making an additional $15 million available for the Veterinarian Medicine Loan Repayment Program and streamlining the application process.”

Rollins talks about other steps in the Rural Veterinary Shortage Action Plan.

“We are commissioning new economic research to analyze and project veterinary shortages in rural areas, especially for food animal veterinarians. USDA is pursuing strategies to make federal service more attractive for our vets, and to create a direct pipeline into public service. And lastly, we will work with veterinary schools, including the great one right here in Starkville, across the country, to increase recruitment from rural America.”

The announcement was made during an appearance at Mississippi State University. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) said she’s seen the challenge of veterinary shortages.

“I know firsthand the hardships that farmers face when it comes to veterinary care. The announcement made today is going to have a significant impact.”

Rollins was joined by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Mississippi State University President Dr. Mark Keenum, and Mississippi Farm Bureau President Mike McCormick.