U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Rollins publicizes Rural Veterinary Action Plan throughout go to to Mississippi State University

Contact: Allison Matthews

STARKVILLE, Miss.—U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins introduced as we speak [Aug. 28] a Rural Veterinary Shortage Action Plan to handle vital wants referring to meals animal well being and huge animal care in rural areas throughout her go to to Mississippi State University.

“Being here at Mississippi State feels like coming home,” Rollins mentioned. “Mississippi State is truly leading the way in cutting-edge technology as we fight for food security and farm security, meaning national security. We have no country if we cannot feed ourselves.”

While visiting MSU with U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, Rollins was briefed on the college’s main analysis on Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, in addition to its groundbreaking work within the space of agriculture autonomy. She seen the nation’s largest and most succesful fleet of UAS in educational use and likewise discovered about college developments within the areas of antimicrobial resistance, aquaculture and fisheries, poultry and laminitis analysis.

During her time at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Rollins noticed an equine emergency surgical procedure in progress earlier than making her bulletins concerning the nationwide scarcity in rural veterinary apply.

“Limited access to vet care is more than an inconvenience, it’s a direct threat to herd health and livelihoods. That’s why the USDA will continue to build significant partnerships with states, universities and farm groups to increase the number of veterinarians across rural America,” Rollins mentioned.

Hyde-Smith referenced her circle of relatives’s Brookhaven stockyard.

“I know firsthand the hardships that farmers face when it comes to veterinary care,” Hyde-Smith mentioned. “The announcement made today is going to have significant impact, and I am so grateful that we had the Secretary to come and do this. There are so many key issues to the health and the ag sector. It is national security. We have to be able to feed our people, we have to be able to feed this country.”

MSU President Mark E. Keenum welcomed Rollins and Hyde-Smith and touted the college’s world-class college, main veterinary curriculum, in addition to increasing services together with a brand new giant animal hospital and equine middle.

“You got to see a surgery in progress, an equine emergency—that’s what we’re here to do—to serve our state, to prepare outstanding future leaders to excel in the profession. As you know, Madame Secretary, we have a dire shortage of veterinarians, especially rural practitioners, and so I appreciate your interest and your leadership to help address these critical challenges we face not only as a state, but as a nation,” Keenum mentioned. “We’ve got to do all we can to serve our food animals, and of course we want to address issues for our companion animals, and we do an outstanding job with that. Looking at our vet students who are with us, we’re so proud of what you are achieving.”

In additional explaining the Rural Veterinary Shortage Action Plan, Rollins mentioned, “We are enhancing and streamlining USDA’s veterinary grant programs. We’re making an additional $15 million available for the veterinary medicine loan repayment program and streamlining the application process to collect less information and allow submission via an online portal. Second, we are commissioning new economic research to analyze and project veterinary shortages in rural areas, especially for food animal veterinarians. Third, USDA is pursuing strategies to make federal service more attractive for our vets to create a direct pipeline into public service. And lastly, we will work with veterinary schools—including the great one right here in Starkville and across the country—to increase recruitment from rural America. Our ranchers can’t do their jobs without skilled veterinarians,” Rollins mentioned.

Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President Mike McCormick additionally spoke of the partnerships wanted to maneuver rural communities ahead in Mississippi and throughout the U.S.

“Mississippi State has long been a steadfast partner in this effort, preparing the next generation of veterinarians who will dedicate their careers to the rural communities and livestock producers,” McCormick mentioned. “We remain strong advocates for our rural communities, knowing full well that the future of agriculture depends on access to veterinary care. Without veterinarians, our farmers and ranchers cannot thrive. Without thriving farms, our rural towns and communities cannot thrive.”

Rollins additionally introduced two new MSU alumni recipients of the veterinary providers grant program. Dr. Rachel McCurdy, a 2020 MSU veterinary graduate who practices in Scott and Newton counties, will obtain $125,000 for tools for her clinic serving 200 recurring shopper farms within the scarcity space. Dr. Kimberly Klunk, a 2021 MSU veterinary graduate and Pike County resident, will obtain $125,000 for livestock reproductive tools for her apply serving the world that features Lincoln, Franklin and Adams counties.

Mississippi State University is caring for what issues. Learn extra at www.msstate.edu.