The united states faces a critical shortage of veterinarians serving livestock operations, particularly in rural communities, limiting cattle producers' access to trained professionals who can provide…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Missouri System $300,000 on September 1, 2026, under the Veterinary Services Grant Program (CFDA 10.336) to deliver FARMVET (Food Animal Reproductive Management Via Veterinary Experiential Training), a workforce development initiative addressing the shortage of veterinarians serving livestock operations in rural communities.

FARMVET will recruit and engage veterinary students through early exposure to cattle practice, connections with producers and industry professionals, and comprehensive hands-on training in bovine reproductive management and reproductive technologies. The program combines classroom instruction, peer-reviewed educational videos, demonstrations, and intensive supervised experience with cattle to develop participants' practical skills and confidence in providing reproductive services. FARMVET will also provide advanced reproductive training to practicing veterinarians and artificial insemination training to cattle producers. The program is expected to increase participants' knowledge, practical skills, and confidence; expand the number of veterinarians prepared to provide reproductive services; and increase the number of cattle producers capable of successfully using artificial insemination and related reproductive management practices.

Performance occurs at Columbia, Missouri. The period of performance runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029.

The united states faces a critical shortage of veterinarians serving livestock operations, particularly in rural communities, limiting cattle producers' access to trained professionals who can provide reproductive and herd health services. This shortage is especially important because the cattle industry is the largest livestock sector in the united states and is widely distributed across rural areas, creating a substantial need for skilled veterinary services. Limited exposure to food-animal practice and insufficient opportunities for hands-on training during veterinary education can discourage students from pursuing careers in large-animal practice and leave new graduates with limited confidence in performing reproductive procedures. To address this need, farmvet (food animal reproductive management via veterinary experiential training) will recruit and engage veterinary students through early exposure to cattle practice, connections with producers and industry professionals, and comprehensive hands-on training in bovine reproductive management and reproductive technologies. Training will combine classroom instruction, peer-reviewed educational videos, demonstrations, and intensive, supervised experience with cattle to help students develop the practical skills and confidence needed to provide reproductive services after graduation. Farmvet will also provide advanced reproductive training to practicing veterinarians and artificial insemination training to cattle producers. The program is expected to increase participants' knowledge, practical skills, and confidence; expand the number of veterinarians prepared to provide reproductive services; and increase the number of cattle producers capable of successfully using artificial insemination and related reproductive management practices. By strengthening the food-animal veterinary workforce and increasing producer access to reproductive expertise and technologies, farmvet will help address critical veterinary service needs while supporting genetic improvement, reproductive efficiency, and the long-term productivity and sustainability of U.S. Cattle operations.