Ag Secretary Rollins unveils action plan to address rural vet shortage

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins is on the road in Mississippi today and just made a big announcement at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Rollins unveiled USDA’s new Rural Veterinary Shortage Action Plan (PDF) along with Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi Farm Bureau’s Mike McCormick, and MSU President Mark Keenum.

It aims to expand grants and financial assistance, streamline loan applications, invest in research, and recruit more students from rural America into veterinary schools, all to support veterinarians and protect livestock health across rural communities.

Related Stories
As ag lawmakers in the Senate await the House vote on the Farm Bill, they are eager to discuss the challenges farmers face before it is their turn to take up the critical legislation.
Productivity gains are supporting supply despite limited herd expansion.
Elena Chavez with Halter provided insight into the company’s virtual fencing technology, its adoption in the U.S., and the impact of recent funding on ranching operations.
The Biden Administration launched the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access (ILCMA) program in 2023 to help underserved farmers facing barriers to land ownership.
Justin Tupper with the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association joins us to discuss the USDA’s voluntary labeling updates, industry priorities, and the outlook for U.S. cattle producers.
Higher machinery costs are raising per-acre production expenses.