Tough testing process for foreign trained veterinarians

Jan 25, 2023

A key challenge for the livestock sector is the shortage of veterinarians ...especially large animal vets.

As with the medical profession, we see international vets immigrating to the country that are looking to practice in Canada.

In order to do so they must complete a Clinical Proficiency Examination at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.

Dean Dr. Gillian Muir says they are the only institution in Canada to offer the four-day exam which they host three or four times a year.

"The applicants for this exam need to demonstrate their competency in a number of areas that cover the breadth of what veterinarians do in Canada. So food animal practice, equine practice, surgery, anesthesia, small animal medicine, medical imaging, a whole number of the regular work that veterinarians do all the time."

She says this is the final step of a lengthy process.

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Video: Season 7, Episode 1: Managing Risk and Seeing Opportunities in U.S. Pork Production

Today’s episode features three guests discussing the similarities and differences between pork production in the United States and Brazil, along with strategies for managing risk in today’s industry while recognizing and acting on opportunities. First, Dr. Anne Caroline de Lara, executive manager of live pig production at Seara Alimentos, a JBS company in Brazil, is joined by Dr. Matthew Turner, head of operations for JBS Live Pork. Together, they discuss how labor, climate and ventilation challenges vary between Brazil and the United States, while underscoring their shared commitment to raising healthy pigs. They also point to lessons producers in both countries can take from one another’s systems and on-farm experiences. Then, Brady Reicks, risk manager at Reicks View Farms, shares his perspective on risk management, drawing from his background in markets and his transition into farming. He discusses how protecting margins varies by operation and offers practical approaches producers can use to make marketing and business decisions with greater confidence rather than hesitation.

Both conversations were recorded at recent industry events focused on swine livability, including the International Conference on Pig Livability and Iowa Swine Day.