Source: Antelope Veterinary Service, LLC submitted to NRP
ND244_ANTELOPE VETERINARY SERVICE, LLC: MOBILE BEEF CATTLE PRACTICE STARTUP
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1032708
Grant No.
2024-70024-43142
Cumulative Award Amt.
$125,000.00
Proposal No.
2024-04825
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Aug 1, 2024
Project End Date
Jul 31, 2027
Grant Year
2024
Program Code
[VSGPR]- Veterinary Services Grant Program Rural Practice Enhancement Grants
Recipient Organization
Antelope Veterinary Service, LLC
3819 82W Ave SW
Richardton,ND 586529604
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Shortage region ND244 contains over 330,000 head of cattle and the state's 2 largest sale barns, and with the current veterinary shortage, ranchers have difficulty scheduling routine herd services and sometimes find it impossible to obtain mobile emergency services in non-ambulatory situations. The goal of Antelope Veterinary Service for this project is to provide routine herd services and emergency services to ranchers within a 75 mile radius of the practice beginning in the fall of 2024. Three objectives will contribute to this goal: 1. Equip Antelope Veterinary Service with necessary materials for on farm care. 2. Develop clientele. 3. Expand services and explore new opportunities.By the end of year two of the grant period Antelope Veterinary Service conservatively expect to gain 50-100 clients that will account for 6,000-15,000 head of cattle. This project will give ranchers significantly more opportunity to engage with and schedule a veterinarian, helping to fill the widening veterinary void in this area. More veterinary oversight and availability will help to contain disease outbreaks and improve production, keeping the ranchers viable and the local economy strong.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
31133991160100%
Knowledge Area
311 - Animal Diseases;

Subject Of Investigation
3399 - Beef cattle, general/other;

Field Of Science
1160 - Pathology;
Goals / Objectives
Objectives: The overarching goal of the project is to provide routine herd services and emergency services to area ranches. There are three objectives that will contribute to this goal:Equip Antelope Veterinary Service with necessary materials for on farm care.Develop clientele.Expand services and explore new opportunities.Objective 1, equipping the practice, will begin immediately upon receipt of funds. A Ford F250, Bowie Galaxy II vet box, Parasal hydraulic chute, and IBEX Evo III ultrasound will serve as the foundation of the business.Objective 2, developing clientele, will begin immediately upon the announcement of grant approval.Objective 3, expanding services and exploring new opportunities, will occur in year 3 of the contract. Progress will be assessed and options to continue the growth of the practice will be explored.
Project Methods
For the successful launch of the practice, the first two project objectives (equip the practice and develop clientele) will be paramount. The grant will provide funds for the foundational equipment of the practice including the truck, vet box, hydraulic chute, and ultrasound, but I will also need to purchase extra equipment to have the capabilities to fulfill calls. I have already established relationships with the needed vendors and will ensure purchasing goes smoothly. Potential clients have also been informed that the practice will be in operation this fall, kick starting the acquisition of those clients. Data to mark the progress of the practice will be obtained from my billing system and calendar and will include several parameters such as: hours worked, revenue generated, clients obtained, and farm calls completed.

Progress 08/01/24 to 07/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project was the ranchers in a 70 mile radius of my business location in southwest North Dakota who are in need of veterinary services for their cattle. Changes/Problems:To date there have been no major changes or problems. The project is going well and is proceeding as outlined in the application. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The main focus of the next reporting period will be to continue the acquisition of new clients. My efforts in this area have been hugely successful and to continue this success I will continue the same strategy: provide good services and let word of mouth be the driving force for expansion

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Antelope Veterinary Service is off to an amazing start with the help of the RPE grant. The first goal of equipping the practice has been 100% completed. The funds from the RPE were used to purchase a truck, vet box, hydraulic chute, and an ultrasound. These items were purchased and secured within one month of the receipt of funds. With this equipment, sufficient revenue was generated to outfit the practice for subsequent seasonal work including calving and breeding soundness exams. The second goal of developing clients has been hugely successful with almost 80 new clients on the books for whom work as already begun to recur. This goal will be ongoing, and new clients are being added weekly as word continues to spread. Objective 3 of expanding services and exploring new opportunities was expected to begin in year three of the program, but has actually begun already. I've started work on becoming proficient in a new service, heifer spaying, and look forward to other new opportunities thatmight arise.

Publications