Few US vets trained to treat organic livestock

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Organic livestock farmers face challenges in getting veterinary treatment for their animals because they can’t use chemicals in production.

Experts say few veterinarians are trained to treat livestock without antibiotics or other modern drugs.

An official with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners says organic medicine is a small, niche market. Vets at Iowa State University and the Association of American Veterinary Colleges say few, if any, schools include organic medicine in their curriculum.

Organic farmers say they would like more vets who can treat their livestock but there is less demand for such services because animals raised organically tend to be healthier.