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According to Google’s publicdata, there are an estimated 36,765,666 people in California as of 2008 which equates to roughly 11,706,266 households. The AVMA’s Pet Ownership research indicates that based on national averages that translates into approximately 9 million dogs and 10 1/2 million cats in the state. According to the Western Farm Press, California ranks 5th in the US with a total of 5 million head of cattle.
A little quick math: there is one small animal veterinarian for every 5,270 dog/cat and one food animal veterinarian for every 6,127 cows. But are cattle even distributed among households like dogs and cats? Of course not. Most are on large agribusiness farms. According to testimony by Leland Swenson, president of the U.S. National Farmers’ Union, before the House Judiciary Committee on September 12, 2000: In the U.S., four companies produce 81 percent of cows, 73 percent of sheep, 57 percent of pigs and 50 percent of chickens. If most food animals are on relatively few farms, fewer veterinarians are needed to oversee the care. Herd medicine is different than individual medicine. The doctor isn’t going out and examining every single individual animal on the farm.
Nationally, in 2009 first year graduates who went into food animal predominant or exclusive practice averaged $63,000 to $72,000 in starting salary while companion animal predominant or exclusive practice earned $66,000 to $69,000. There is no economic incentive for veterinarians to choose to become food-animal practitioners.
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