Rural and food animal veterinary practice is evolving in response to changes in society, demographics, and business opportunities available in the 21st century. The gravitation of veterinarians toward metropolitan areas has created a perception of under-serviced needs in rural communities and food animal industry as a whole. The OJRRP invites authors to submit manuscripts pertaining to the current and future economic, societal, technological, and professional factors influencing rural veterinary practice. Articles pertaining to the recruitment and training of veterinary students for rural practice and the factors that influence the career choices made by students are particularly welcome. Authors should consider the rural qualities of their research within the context of the Great Plains, an area of North America that stretches from the northern areas of Mexico to central Canada, and includes states west of the Mississippi and east of the Rocky Mountains. While research does not need to focus solely on the Great Plains, every effort should be made to show how the results are relevant. 

Dr. David Anderson, Professor of Clinical Sciences and head of Agricultural Practices at the Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine, is the lead contact for the OJRRP Veterinary Special Issue Editorial Team.  He can be reached by email at danderso@vet.k-state.edu.

Dr. Brad White, Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences at the Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine, will coordinate invited manuscripts.

Dr. Robert Larson, Professor and Director of Veterinary Medical Continuing Education in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine, will steer review of submitted manuscripts. 

The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2010. Authors are urged to review the OJRRP website for details on how to submit works. All articles will be peer reviewed.