Do you have to grow up on a farm to become a successful farm animal vet?

Before becoming Dr. Bradley. Port Perry Fair Holstein Show. Circa 1990.

One question I often get asked by vet students is "Do you think I can be a successful farm animal veterinarian if I did not grow up on a farm?"

I strongly feel that the answer to this question is "yes, absolutely". I justify my answer because I personally know quite a few vets that did not grow up on or around a farm, that have pursued bovine medicine and have enjoyed an incredible career. These days, it is also relatively easy with social media connections to find some notable examples of people who have grown up with an urban background that have successfully endeavored into a career in food animal medicine (check out Dr. Michelle Schack @dairykind if you want a solid example for starters).

However, do I think it is easier to develop a career in food animal medicine, and to gain credibility with farm animal clients if you did grow up on a farm? Heck. Yes. At least initially.

Not only do farm kids have the advantage of intimately experiencing all things farm, from animal husbandry and cattle handling to knowledge of feeding practices and basic animal health principles, they also very likely have the work ethic of a lioness. These things do not go unnoticed by their future employers and clients.

This is not to say that you cannot develop these skills and insights not growing up on a farm, but being that deeply exposed to farming practices and farming community dynamics all your life no doubt gives you a huge advantage. The other benefit that those who grew up on farms have, is almost instantaneous credibility with farm animal clients. When I take vet students or new vets to farm visits with me, the first question almost all of my clients ask is "Do you come from a farm?" I think this questions is well-intentioned and purely out of curiosity (for the most part), but if said student answers "Yes", the farmer's eyes will light up and they easily engage in further conversation throughout the farm visit. They chat about their favorite cow, compare and contrast farming practices, and the farmer proudly observes the ease in which the student or vet knows their way around the cows and the barn. If the answer is "No", the farmer politely smiles and welcomes them, but that level of connection is often just not as instantaneous and easy.

While this similarity bias is not really fair, the vet student without the farming background can absolutely still engage in a meaningful way. One thing I always encourage vet students or new vets to do, is to engage the farmer in conversation by asking them details about their farm and their family. Farmers are notable "kings or queens of their castle". They are typically very proud of their cows and their operations (rightfully so.. have you seen our beautiful Canadian Farms and Ranches?!), and one of the best shoe-ins is to ask them questions about their castle. I have time and again observed that this is a very effective way to start to build trust and credibility with farmers.

Here is the advice I offer up to any veterinary hopeful or vet student that did not come from a farming background that is interested in pursuing food animal medicine; put in the effort and hours to develop an authentic appreciation of agriculture, by way of getting enough stick-time with your boots on the ground. What is the best way to do this? Work on a farm. Dairy farms often are looking for milking staff, ranches may be looking for seasonal workers (bonus if they require help during calving season and you can safely participate and learn from experienced ranch hands). If you have absolutely no clue how to safely be around large animals and equipment, make sure you disclose this and ensure that proper safety training is part of the deal up front. You may be asking yourself "why would this farm even want to hire me if I have no experience?". Interestingly enough, I have found that many dairy farms in particular may preferentially hire people that have little to no experience. This way, they can train a "fresh" mind that is not set on a certain way of doing things, but rather is open to their milking and feeding practices (for example). Many farmers comment that some of the best workers they ever had were town or city "kids". All you have to do is show up on time and show some enthusiasm. Nothing will set you up more effectively to learn animal behaviour and handling, animal husbandry and modern farming practices than working on a farm. You will come to understand the daily challenges and triumphs of your future clients. And the collateral "damage" of this? You too will develop the work ethic of a lioness, develop resilience through experiencing the challenges of farming, and ultimately get to experience that almost instantaneous credibility with your future clients.

Farming and food animal vet practice share many of the same challenges; physical work, long days, and some short nights. They also share many of the same beautiful moments; saving a cow, bringing new life into the world (nothing is better than a new baby farm animal!), enjoying nature and wide-open spaces (and so many more). On a more personal note, I can also honestly say that I have learned some of life's greatest lessons and insights from farmers (huge nod to my grandfather, uncles, father and my farm clients).

What if working on a farm is not accessible to you? Other things that vet students and vet hopefuls have participated in to gain farm experience are shadow shifts with food animal vets, working in a food animal practice, or joining a research project that involves observations or sample collection on farms or from livestock. These activities are not just recommended if you don't have a farming background or haven't worked on a farm, they are necessary. As often and for as long as you can.

1st year veterinary students enjoying a day of farm visits with Dr. Bradley

So what is my point here? We need food animal veterinarians. Not just from a farming background, but from all backgrounds. It delights me to have students who are curious about what being a cow vet looks like jump in my truck and join me for a day out doing farm calls. They are so often extremely delighted by this experience. I encourage them to do more shadow shifts with myself and other vets, and to find work on a farm for the summer if they have not yet done so.

The other benefit of putting in the effort and hours with boots on the ground, is that you really develop a feel for "what you are getting into". The more intimately you know this, the better off you will be from a career retention and satisfaction standpoint. On more than one occasion, I have encountered vet students who are enthusiastic about a career in food animal or mixed animal practice based on some level of previous exposure, but even as late as their final year of vet studies come to discover that this is "not for them" after they finally spend a lot of time in various food animal practices and on client farms and ranches. They usually report that they did not fully understand what the daily activities entailed, how long the days really could be, or that they have a hard time developing relationships with farm clients or understanding farm client perspectives. Of course, this is completely acceptable, and there are many different and impactful ways you can contribute to the field of vet med. But as I mentioned above, we need food animal vets. Some of which who will happily stay in the trenches for the long haul.

If you just have no idea where to start, talk to a veterinary mentor that can help you connect with farmers that are known to be good hosts of students with no prior farm experience. Ride along with farm vets. Experience as many different food animal practices and farms as you possibly can. Yes, this will mean spending weekends or summers doing these things, but hopefully I have started to convince you, it will all be worth it.