Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Vet numbers plunge

Sunday, January 20, 2008

by DON STONEMAN

The number of large animal vets in the province has fallen, Stark told Ontario Federation of Agriculture directors in January. Those in large animal practices are more likely to want to do herd health work than to help a cow to calve.

Stark summarized a survey of 3,400 licensed practitioners conducted by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association last summer. More than half of vets asked to fill out the survey responded. The survey found that trends aware from large animal practices predicted in 2002 are continuing but at a faster pace. She blamed the BSE crisis.

The trend towards more women graduating from vet schools continues. "We are graduating people with a particular need to have more time off," Stark says. But a third of established vets who have quit doing large animal work cited "too much on call" time as the most important reason. Remuneration was cited by 22 per cent, and 18 per cent complained about working conditions.

Equine practice is the only large animal category on the rise, the study found. The number of veterinarians specializing in beef and swine have fallen by 31 per cent since 2002, while vets in dairy fell by 10 per cent. Small ruminant vets are down by 48 per cent and poultry by 32 per cent. Deer and elk practices fell by an astounding 86 per cent, reflecting the fall in numbers in farms with those animals.

Stark's suggestions for producers? Be a great client, accept the horses and pets, and make your barn "female friendly." BF

Current Issue

May 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

OFA viewpoint on growing future farmers

Monday, May 12, 2025

Agriculture is arguably among the most important industries we have. Not only is it one of the biggest sectors of the Ontario and Canadian economies, but it’s also fundamental to our very existence. After all, everyone has to eat—and in Ontario, we’re luckier than most in the wide... Read this article online

Protecting Plant Health Supports All Life

Monday, May 12, 2025

Healthy plants are vital to the survival and well-being of people, animals, and nature. They clean the air, support biodiversity, and are the foundation of food and economic systems. On May 12, Canadians celebrate International Day of Plant Health. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)... Read this article online

V6 Agronomy Joins Port of Johnstown Deal

Monday, May 12, 2025

V6 Agronomy has partnered with the Port of Johnstown (100 kilometres south of Ottawa) to build a national fertilizer hub. This long-term collaboration should support Canada’s food security, reduce input costs for farmers, and modernize the fertilizer supply chain using clean... Read this article online

Mother’s Day Q&A with Anna McCutcheon

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Mother’s Day is only a few days away (that’s another reminder), and this week Farms.com has connected with moms in ag for their thoughts on motherhood, its challenges, and how being a parent has changed them. Anna McCutcheon (AM) and her husband Mark are the first generation on their... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top