Report outlines key factors driving Ohio's veterinary shortage

The Ohio Department of Agriculture, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Farm Journal Foundation today announced the release of a new report examining the growing shortage of rural and food-system veterinarians in Ohio and identifying potential pathways to strengthen the veterinary workforce. 

The report, Ohio Rural & Food Systems Veterinary Shortage Solutions, analyzes veterinarian demographics, workforce trends, educational pathways, and youth engagement programs to better understand the factors contributing to the shortage and inform future solutions.

The report is a starting point for the conversations and further work to identify the causes of the rural and food systems veterinarian shortage.

“Rural veterinarians are essential partners in protecting animal health, responding to disease threats, and helping ensure a safe and secure food supply,” said ODA Director Brian Baldridge. “This report confirms what many producers and veterinary professionals are already experiencing: demand is growing while a significant portion of our veterinary workforce is nearing retirement. Understanding the factors driving this shortage is the first step toward developing meaningful, long-term solutions for Ohio agriculture.”

Highlights from this report include:

• Approximately one-third of Ohio's licensed veterinarians (1,418, or 32.4%) are at or within 10 years of retirement age, with 699 already 65 or older.
• Surveyed Ohio stakeholders rated the severity of the veterinary shortage at 7.9 out of 10 today, rising to 9.1 when looking ten years ahead.
• 4-H logged more than 70,000 animal science projects in 2025, and FFA exposed more than 83,000 students to animal or veterinary science, indicative of the potential youth pipeline for careers in veterinary medicine.

The findings come as Ohio continues to invest in strengthening its veterinary workforce. Forecasts indicate the state could face a shortage of 600 to 1,000 veterinarians by the early 2030s if current trends continue, underscoring the importance of expanding the pipeline of veterinarians serving rural communities and food-animal agriculture.

The state of Ohio committed $9.6 million to The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in the FY26-27 operating budget to create the Protect One Health in Ohio, or Protect OHIO, initiative designed to strengthen Ohio’s veterinary workforce, public health and agricultural economy. This assessment provides a data-driven look at the factors contributing to Ohio’s veterinary shortage, an important step in developing long-term solutions.

“There is a critical shortage of rural and food-system veterinarians across the United States, including here in Ohio,” said Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, Rita Jean Wolfe Endowed Dean, Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “To solve this challenge, we first need a clear understanding of the factors contributing to it. This assessment provides that foundation and will help guide the college’s broader Protect OHIO initiative, shaping evidence-based solutions that strengthen the veterinary workforce and protect the interconnected health of Ohio’s animals, people, food systems, and communities.”

The release of Ohio Rural & Food Systems Veterinary Shortage Solutions marks the fifth report developed by Farm Journal Foundation, following Indiana, Maryland, Kansas, and Oklahoma. This report is part of the organization’s State and Community Readiness Program to address the critical shortage of food-animal veterinarians. Solving the shortage will require a multifaceted approach, and this report is a starting point for conversations.

“Through collaboration with Ohio's veterinary and agricultural stakeholders, this assessment provides a data-driven understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing food-animal veterinary practice in the state today,” said Farm Journal Foundation’s Director of Rural Programs Maddie Skellie. “This report establishes a foundation for self-help readiness models that can strengthen the long-term sustainability of veterinary practices and rural communities, while supporting the well-being and career satisfaction goals of veterinarians.”