Down on the farm: a vet shortage.

• Position: HEALTH - Brief article

Veterinarians who care for the animals that provide the U.S. with food are becoming a rare species themselves. Since 1990, the number of vets focusing on large farm animals has dropped to fewer than 4,500 from nearly 6,000. Though U.S. vet schools produce about 2,500 vets a year, the majority are choosing to practice on smart animals, which generally provides a more lucrative and comfortable lifestyle than the longer hours and tower pay rural. vets tend to have...