Idaho Lawmakers Expected To Discuss Veterinary School This Session

The Idaho legislative session started Monday, and while there were few Ag centric issues scheduled to be discussed, that doesn’t mean the farming community won’t be watching closely.  Dexton Lake with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation said addressing the shortage of large animal veterinarians will be a topic that’s discussed.

“Utah State University is rolling out their new vet school, and they have their first class going right now," Lake said.  "And when they're finished building the new building, that class size will go from, I believe, 44 students to over 80 students.  And so, there's an opportunity for Idaho to get Idaho seats in that Utah State program, similar to what Idaho already does with Washington State [University].”

Partnerships Are Cheaper Than Having A Vet School In Idaho

Lake acknowledged while 2026 will be a budget cutting year, it’s important that lawmakers look at addressing the veterinary needs in Idaho, now and into the future.

"It's a lot cheaper to have partnerships than it is to have our own vet school here in the state.  And so, we want to expand those partnerships.  And likewise, we want to establish some return and work standards.  If they're going to take money from the state to kind of help supplement their education, they should be coming back and filling the shortfalls that we have in the state, particularly with large animal veterinarian medicine, or more commonly what's referred to as mixed practice.”

Engagement Is Pivotal This Session

Lake said it’s very important for farmers and ranchers to be engaged with lawmakers this legislative session.

The 2026 Idaho legislative session runs through early April.

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