A view shows a sign with bird flu protocols on the door of a poultry house at the University of California, Davis, March 6, 2025.  Photo: Reuters/Fred Greaves/File

Staff exodus at U.S. farm agency leaves fewer experts to battle bird flu

Animal disease unit of USDA has lost 16 per cent of staff

Chicago/Washington | Reuters – Hundreds of veterinarians, support staff and lab workers at the animal health arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture have left under the Trump administration’s push for resignations, according to three sources familiar with the situation, leaving fewer specialists to respond to animal disease outbreaks. The departures come as the country […] Read more


The CVMA says that Canadian veterinary colleges’ annual graduation rates for veterinarians barely meet the rate of attrition from the profession.

Opinion: Veterinary shortage more than a northern Ontario problem

A news release came across my desk last month that raised some good questions regarding veterinary care for livestock in Ontario. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) announced in October a Veterinary Incentive Program (VIP) offering grants up to $50,000 to recent veterinary school graduates wanting to work with livestock in […] Read more

MPP calls for expansion of Veterinary Incentive Program eligibility

MPP calls for expansion of Veterinary Incentive Program eligibility

Bobbi Ann Brady says Haldimand-Norfolk is an under-serviced area

Haldimand-Norfolk’s MPP, with farmer support, is calling on the province to expand the Veterinary Incentive Program’s recognition of “under-serviced areas.” “I’d like to see the government commit to providing an incentive program across all the areas of the province that are experiencing a shortage or an absence of large animal vet services,” Bobbi Ann Brady […] Read more

Winners of the Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show Innovation competition included (LtoR) Glen Yates and Colin Yates of VETSon, Matt Leinen of Ag Leader Technology, Mathieu Paneuf of Agrilog, Vanessa Camacho of Clean Works, and Greg Patterson and Rob Field of A&L Laboratories.

Vet app, grain data tech, biostimulant among innovation winners

Exhibitors with innovative products were recognized last month during Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. The Innovation Program offers awards to businesses in five categories: agronomics, business solutions, environmental sustainability, equipment and livestock. The 2023 winners were announced Sept. 11 before the Sept. 12-14 show began at Discovery Farm Woodstock. Why it matters: The program recognizes new […] Read more


The beef industry is determining how surveillance for foot-and-mouth disease will work in community pastures that are shared by cattle from several producers.

Veterinarian shortage complicates FMD plans

Producers worry about how country’s shortage of veterinarians will affect surveillance against foot-and-mouth disease

Glacier FarmMedia – The shortage of veterinarians is a problem Canadian beef industry and government officials must tackle as they develop a contingency plan in case of a foot-and-mouth outbreak, said an expert. “We know that’s the reality, so we have to work with that reality,” said senior director Bob Burden of Serecon, a consulting […] Read more

Jill Dunlop, right, Minister of Colleges and Universities, speaks with a member of the Ontario Veterinary College program after announcing a $15 million collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program between the University of Guelph and Lakehead University.

Veterinary program investment to address animal treatment shortage

Northern community sees value in new collaborative vet program

A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program collaboration at the University of Guelph and Lakehead University is now official. “This is a program that is going to generate a tremendous return on the investment in terms of supporting our farmers,” said Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Lisa Thompson, speaking April 20 at the U of […] Read more

.

Increasing veterinary capacity in Ontario to receive $15 million in funding

To help address veterinary shortages in rural and northern communities, the Ontario government is investing more than $15 million to establish anew Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program with the University of Guelph and Lakehead University. The government is also providing grants to new veterinary graduates as an incentive to work in underserviced areas in […] Read more


(Baranozdemir/iStock/Getty Images)

Ontario seeking new rules on scope of vet services

Changes also considered to veterinary sector oversight

Updated Nov. 23 — Ontario’s government is considering new legislation to more clearly spell out who can provide what kinds of animal care in the province’s veterinary sector. The provincial ag ministry on Monday launched a round of public consultation on the Veterinarians Act, which governs licensing of veterinarians and accreditation of veterinary facilities in […] Read more

(DusanPetkovic/iStock/Getty Images)

Saskatchewan, Manitoba to boost vet college seat quotas

Each province adding five subsidized seats at WCVM

Updated, Sept. 30 — With livestock producers’ needs at top of mind, 10 more student seats at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan will be spoken for starting next year. The college and the Saskatchewan and Manitoba governments on Thursday announced the two provinces will each step up their funding […] Read more