AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022 THE RIDER /37


Exploring impacts of vet shortage in rural and remote communities across Ontario


By Ethan Wallace, Director, On- tario Federation of Agriculture Rural and remote commu-


nities in Ontario are experiencing a shortage of veterinary access. What does this look like? It looks like waiting four hours or more for a veterinarian to come out to your farm – if they can come at all. It looks like being forced to euthanize livestock to uphold an- imal welfare standards, even though the animal could be treated if timely service were available. It also looks like veteri- narians are exhausted, over- worked and doing their best to provide farmers and their live- stock the quality service they re- quire and deserve. Animals and animal-re-


lated agriculture are crucial to the economic stability of Ontario’s rural communities. Livestock farmers require reliable access to veterinary services to ensure strong health and welfare for their animals. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) recognizes and acknowledges that veterinar- ians play a critical role in the sta- bility and viability of


the


agri-food system. Vets are vital to ensuring farmers have access to the help and support they need for raising healthy livestock. Re- liability and timeliness are key to the health and welfare of both the animal and the farmer. On my dairy operation, our


vet and dairy nutritionist are an integral part of our operation and necessary pillars to raising a healthy herd. Plain and simple, an operation is at an extreme disad- vantage with a lack of access to veterinary services, which we see as a much larger issue in northern and remote communities. As farmers, we feel the pain that our


animals feel, especially when we cannot find a solution to the prob- lem or cannot access the services we need to be able to treat the dis- comfort our livestock are feeling. My livestock work hard for me, and in return it’s my priority to make sure my herd is comfort- able, content and healthy. Farming yields many stres-


sors, especially during the intense growing season, and having sick livestock is the last thing you want to add to this list. It takes a huge toll not only financially, but also mentally. It can result in sig- nificant mental and emotional stress for the farmer. I’m lucky enough to feel a great amount of support from my vet who under- stands the surmounting pressures of farming and how difficult it is to see one of your animals suffer- ing. As farmers and caretakers of our livestock, we do our best, but we don’t know everything about animal health, which can lead to anguish and extreme frustration. Bringing in a specialist to find a solution to the issue can be tremendously rewarding during these difficult times. However, if you cannot get access to a vet and you’re left waiting and wonder- ing, that frustration escalates. Generally, there has been a


challenge in both attracting and retaining new veterinarians to work out of large animal clinics. Among a variety of other factors, the rural lifestyle may not offer the same level of attraction or amenities to a young professional as an urban centre. Unfortunately, these service gaps have resulted in a higher demand being put on the vets currently working in rural, remote and northern com- munities. Specifically in northern Ontario, this problem continues


Please Join Us...


to grow. Clinics are spaced out across the region resulting in vets travelling long distances to visit farms, isolation and burnout try- ing to meet the demand needed to care for the animals. The shortage puts a strain on the entire agricul- tural community in these areas. The Livestock Veterinary


Innovation Initiative, which was announced by the Ontario gov- ernment in 2021, was developed to help address the shortage issue and provide farmers with better access to veterinary services. The intent was to address the gap in veterinary care, particularly for large animal vets working in rural and remote communities across Ontario. To help address the issue


moving forward, it’s important that farmers, industry stakehold- ers, government, institutions and veterinarians work together to find a suitable solution. Identify- ing existing gaps, working on at- traction and retention strategies for large animal clinics and ex- ploring investment opportunities may be options to consider. A lack of veterinary care can be detrimental to rural communities and can leave farm animals, and ultimately the food system, at risk. The industry encourages and welcomes new veterinary profes- sionals to fill a growing need and support farmers across Ontario. For more information, con-


tact:


Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca


For subscription or


advertising information please contact: (905) 387-1900


or email: barry@therider.com Visit our


website at www.therider.com


Oktoberfest Jumper Show


Oct 21-23, 2022 INDOORS at the


Ancaster Agriculture and Equestrian Centre


For more information please visit: www.foxruninc.ca


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48