Some veterinarians warn that the tariffs are impacting animal health

Tariffs may be an international issue, but some warn that their impact is putting animal health in jeopardy.

The concern centers around production, with most vaccines and antibiotics made overseas. One large animal veterinarian says costs on critical imported products could go up, forcing tough decisions on the ground.

“A lot of the products, vaccines for example, aren’t necessarily manufactured here in the U.S., so they might come from China, come from India, Brazil. Well, if we’re putting tariffs on products coming into the U.S., what does that do to those products? More expensive, right? And so then, if you’re in a situation where margins are pretty small, what do you do? Maybe you cut preventative care, and so vaccines might be a place that you delay a vaccine program, or maybe you cut it all altogether, and so thinking about this animal health investment,” said Dustin Pendell with the World Organization for Animal Health.

Animal health costs are a small part of a rancher’s budget, but skipping preventative care can put herds at risk. Animal health officials admit that while tariffs might lead to short-term price hikes, it could encourage more vaccine manufacturing here in the United States.

Related Stories
From tariff talks in Europe to SCOTUS uncertainty and rising farm losses, analysts say policy and global supply will shape grain markets in the year ahead.
Analysts say a Supreme Court decision on tariffs could reshape protein markets, strain U.S.-China trade, and force farmers to rethink global demand strategies.
President Donald Trump speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, addressing SNAP spending, tariff threats against Europe, market reactions, and the upcoming USMCA review.
From rising trade tensions in Europe to a pending Supreme Court decision on tariffs and shifting demand from China, global trade policy spearheaded by President Donald Trump continues to shape the outlook for U.S. agriculture—adding uncertainty as farmers navigate another volatile year.
The proposal signals a renewed push to offset tariff-driven losses, stabilize nutrition programs, and broaden eligibility for farm aid, though its path forward will depend on congressional negotiations.
House Agriculture Committee Democrats are calling for action on the Farm and Family Relief Act, warning that proposed SNAP cost shifts to states could reduce food assistance for low-income families amid ongoing tariffs and trade disruptions that continue to strain U.S. farmers.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney discusses the latest developments in the Supreme Court, trade tariffs, and the future of the USMCA under President Donald Trump.
China’s beef policy risk stems from domestic volatility, making export demand inherently unstable. Jake Charleston with Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on cattle markets, risk management, and producer sentiment.
Trade uncertainty—especially regarding soybeans—continues to weigh on future outlooks, even as farm finances and land values remain resilient.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

FarmHER Katey Jo Evans of The Frozen Farmer joins us for a sneak peek of the latest episode of Dirt Diaries: The FarmHER + RanchHER Podcast.
Winter weather will challenge livestock producers working to rebuild their herds despite harsh conditions.
As we gear up for the big event, Team BUBBA’s Brent Chapman of Kansas joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report to talk preparation, teamwork, and the state of competitive bass fishing.
House lawmakers are expected to vote late this afternoon to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The bill they are voting on includes some big priorities for Rural America.
A Reuters report shows China has a soybean “glut,” finding stockpiles at Chinese ports are at record levels, with crushers there holding the most supplies since 2017.