Rural America Faces a Veterinary Crisis: The Shocking Shortage Threatening Animal Health and Agriculture

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has partnered with the Farm Journal Foundation to address the growing shortage of rural and food animal veterinarians in the state. This shortage threatens agricultural livelihoods, disease control, and rural economic growth. The partnership aims to create a sustainable path forward by gathering data from industry stakeholders, with a report due in October. Veterinarian Lena Swanson highlights the financial burden on vets and the lack of support for rural practices as critical factors in the crisis.