Tennessee veterinary shortage spurs study

KNOXVILLE, TENN. - 8/29/06 - Tennessee's DVM rural veterinary population is declining, and the trend has spurred officials to launch a study to find out why.

By request from the Tennessee General Assembly House Agriculture Committee, the University of Tennessee (UT) Institute of Agriculture will conduct the study. It starts with three public forums for citizens to voice their concerns.

Legislative members are concerned with an immediate impact to agriculture, the university reports.

Animal-based agriculture contributes to 50 percent of the state's more than $2 billion agricultural economy, according to UT officials.

The state's cattle industry is estimated at more than 2.1 million head. Swine and poultry contribute to approximately $483 million.

The state's equine industry could also suffer from lack of veterinarians, with about 210,000 animals falling into the category, the university says.