“That’s something we are seeing across the U.S.,” he says. “I think one of the reasons is that some vet schools are producing fewer food animal veterinarians. We’ve done the opposite at Iowa State.”

Once students reaches the fourth year of school, they choose one of four options — small animal, equine, mixed animal and food animal.

Halbur says more than 65 percent of veterinary students at ISU are choosing food animal medicine. That figure has risen from 20 percent over the last five to eight years, he says.

Halbur says a large number of veterinary students at ISU come from non-farm backgrounds.

“They are getting turned on to animal agriculture, and we think that’s great,” he says.

Iowa State has about a 98 percent placement rate for its veterinary school graduates, Halbur says.

He says there are just 30 veterinary schools in the country.

“It’s pretty competitive to get into Iowa State,” Halbur says. “What makes us unique is that we are at the center of a $33 billion animal agriculture industry, and that is very appealing to students.”