The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine is one of a dozen recipients of a USDA grant that the university will use for web-based curriculum.

LONG-DISTANCE LEARNING: A USDA grant will help the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine develop web-based curriculum to be made available to outstate veterinarians.

U-M's $238,000 project is directed at development and implementation of web-based educational materials in dairy production and food safety. U-M is home to the National Center of Excellence in Dairy Veterinary Education and the OIE (the historic acronym for the World Organisation for Animal Health)-collaborating Center for Animal Health and Food Safety. The project will build upon the strengths of these centers to develop materials for veterinary students and for use in continuing education programs for dairy and public health practitioners.

“We believe this project will help practitioners better serve dairy client needs, while at the same time enhancing veterinary practice incomes and providing a richer, more stimulating professional career role for veterinarians, enhancing their sustainability and retention as rural practitioners,” says Erin Royster, DVM, an assistant professor of dairy production medicine.

The curriculum will be directed to veterinary students interested in careers in dairy and food animal production medicine, and public health. Topics will include dairy food systems and food safety; regulatory medicine; calf health and management; lameness and cow comfort; mastitis and milk quality; reproductive management; and transition cow management.

Twelve grants totaling $2.3 million were awarded across the U.S. to help to relieve shortages of veterinary services practices in designated rural shortage areas through education, Extension, training and support for new or existing veterinary practices.

Funds were made available under the new Veterinary Services Grant Program. VSGP grants fund work by universities, veterinary associations and state, local or tribal agencies to help relieve veterinary workforce shortages in the U.S. food and agriculture sector. Funds may also be used to support the establishment or expansion of veterinary services in eligible rural areas.

Source: U-M College of Veterinary Medicine