It has been an incredibly difficult time for the veterinary industry in the UK in the last year. The news has been full of stories warning of shortages and the number of vets leaving the professional. Some businesses have had to consolidate services because they simply lack staff to keep multiple practices open. All of this raises serious concerns about pet and farm animal health.

Why are there problems?

The list of potential issues in the veterinary industry is long. Vets leaving the industry or considering a career change criticise things like low pay, under-staffing, and intense work schedules. It can be especially bad in rural areas where staff shortages are more apparent.

Staff retention is also a challenge for the veterinary industry. Burnout is a huge problem, made much worse by the under-staffing. At a time when people want a kinder work/life balance, all the negatives in the industry don’t exactly encourage people to consider a career here.

Fixing the problem

Work is underway at various levels to change the veterinary industry. This includes at classroom and boardroom level to improve training and the workplace culture. However, there is still more to do if we don’t want to risk a big downturn in animal health.

One thing the NFU is urging is that farmers do more to help with vet training. Traditionally vets had to get practical experience on farms as part of their qualifications. However, students now have the option to opt out of many farm-based experiences if they aren’t pursuing a career in farm animal medicine. It further increases the chance of a shortage of vets who can work on farms.

What the NFU wants to see is more farmers encouraging students to get placements on their farms to get practical experience and develop an interest in the agricultural side. This in turn could increase the number of people that go on to focus on farm animal medicine. Key here is to ensure placements are available to students from all kinds of backgrounds, make students comfortable, and manage expectations on both sides. It can provide a win-win for future vets and farmers.

To help, the NFU is working to improve placement provision. Additionally, they are developing new resources for farmers so they can ensure placements are “positive”. There will also be events early in 2026 across the UK to showcase the benefits and opportunities here. Ultimately, there is a big opportunity to improve the veterinary profession, the agricultural industry, and animal welfare.

Find great resources to improve animal health

At JS Hubbuck Ltd, we understand the importance of getting support from vets. It can help with key things like disease control, welfare, and productivity. Crucially, it can ensure farmers use things like wormer and antibiotics more effectively, preventing over-use and resistance.

Equally important though is choosing the right products, including animal feed. We are happy to support farmers here, sharing product knowledge and best practice guidance for animal health. Then, we can supply a wide selection of different high quality resources and tools. So, get in touch today.