Livestock producers have felt the shortage of production animal veterinarians for a long time. In fact, a recent study found only 4% of vets in the U.S. focus on production animal care. A new program from Iowa State University is working to address the deficit. The Production Animal – Veterinary Early Acceptance Program (PA – VEAP) is an undergraduate program that will allow students to study animal medicine with a dedicated path toward the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

The program’s ultimate goal is to help supply more production animal veterinarians to work in underserved rural areas in the United States. Program leadership believes addressing this gap will help address threats to food security. Applications for the first class of PA-VEAP students are due in December 2023. Read more on the program here.