Livestock fears as shortage of vets hits farmers

Dwindling numbers mean it is becoming more expensive for farmers to get vets to tend to livestock. (Dan Peled/AAP PHOTOS)

Livestock are being put at risk as it becomes harder and more expensive for farmers to find veterinarians to care for their animals.

A national shortage of vets is affecting the health of animals and is being felt more strongly in the regions, the Australian Veterinary Association's Zachary Lederhose says.

"People are delaying their visit to the vet because it costs more because you have to pay for travel and also you just can't get the vet out,'' Dr Lederhose told AAP.

He said one farming family was forced to slaughter an animal in June that needed emergency attention near Braidwood in southern NSW because they were unable to get a vet in time. 

"We're seeing a massive shortfall of vets in regional areas," Dr Lederhose said.

Only eight per cent of the 4000 vets in NSW work in regions and remotely.

The problem has been developing in NSW for the past decade, with a parliamentary inquiry set up in June examining veterinary workforce shortages. Inquiry submissions close at the end of next week. 

Australian Veterinary Association data from 2021 showed 46 per cent of veterinary job vacancies in rural practices were still not filled after 12 months.

Dr Ledherhose said he had been unable to fill a position advertised for two years for a vet at his practice in Goulburn, NSW.

There are 15,000 registered veterinarians in Australia looking after 30.4 million pets, which doesn't include livestock or wildlife.

Comparatively, about 130,000 doctors look after 26.5 million people.

Vets have a key role protecting the industry and there is the added concern diseases such as foot and mouth won't be detected.

 If the disease spread to Australia there are estimates it could cost the economy $80 billion.

"If we don't have vets service those areas and pick up those diseases early and intervene early, we're going to miss those,"  Dr Lederhose said.

The vet shortage will be discussed at next week's NSW Farmers annual conference.

Dubbo cattle producer Shane Kilby wants more investment, training and financial incentives to encourage large animal vets to move to western NSW.

“As a livestock producer it’s vital to have a good relationship with a large animal veterinary practice so you can get the care you need, when you need it,” Mrs Kilby said.

“Vets are indispensable for us, whether it’s pregnancy testing, calving or even just looking in on a sick animal."

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