Veterinarian Shortage Vexing Farms, Ranches

Summary

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CONNELL, Wash. -- Bill Bennett has spent 45 years feeding and herding 2,500 cattle on his rolling eastern Washington ranch. He's also had to act as a doctor because he's unable to find a veterinarian who will come to his rural spread.

He's not alone, as farmers and ranchers across the country complain of a shortage of large-animal veterinarians. A federal program created in 2003 to help the situation sits dormant while the U.S. Department of Agriculture writes rules.

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Veterinarian Shortage Vexing Farms, Ranches

In addition to caring for livestock and pets, veterinarians monitor and inspect a large portion of the food supply and work as disease researchers. Food safety experts fear that public heal...

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