Great Plains Vet Educational

For individuals in Nebraska and the wider region with a focus on large animal health, particularly within the beef industry, the **Great Plains Vet Educational** (GPVEC) center in Clay Center stands out as a unique and vital resource. More than a typical veterinary clinic, GPVEC operates as a specialized educational and service center under the umbrella of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), in cooperation with Iowa State University and the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC).

This institution is dedicated to providing high-level training for veterinary and graduate students, as well as continuing education for veterinary practitioners and beef producers. Their primary focus is on **beef cattle production systems**, making them an essential asset for Nebraska's agricultural backbone. The facility is actively involved in providing veterinary care for the extensive livestock populations at USMARC, which in turn forms the basis for much of its hands-on clinical education.

The tone here is one of professional expertise and a deep commitment to the future of large animal health and the sustainability of the food supply system, emphasizing the positive impact on animal health, human food supply systems, and environmental resources.

The facility also serves the public as a state government office due to its affiliation with a major state university system and its location at a federal research facility, underscoring its role as an official resource for the agricultural community.

The Great Plains Vet Educational center is strategically located in the heart of Nebraska’s agricultural landscape at the **U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC)**, a vast federal facility dedicated to meat animal research. The exact address is:

• **Address:** NE-18D Spur, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA

The location at USMARC, a major research and livestock operation spanning approximately 35,000 acres, provides an unparalleled environment for students and practitioners to gain experience with large herds of beef cattle, as well as sheep and swine. This setting ensures that the educational and clinical focus is on real-world, large-scale production scenarios.

Accessibility at the center is a priority for all visitors and participants, featuring:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot
• Wheelchair accessible restroom

General amenities, including clean restrooms, are available on site for the convenience of students and staff.

The services provided by GPVEC are primarily directed towards the livestock populations at USMARC, which serves as the core of their educational programs. These services represent the hands-on training opportunities for veterinary students and the focus of clinical research. The key areas of expertise and service include:

• **Animal Care Services:** Routine and specialized health care for individual animals within the USMARC herds and flocks.
• **Animal Health:** Comprehensive programs aimed at maintaining the overall health and well-being of the large animal populations.
• **Herd Health:** Focus on production-level veterinary medicine, including management strategies, disease prevention, and response for large groups of livestock. This often involves collaborating closely with USMARC herd health veterinarians.
• **Lameness Exams:** Specialized diagnostic and treatment services for issues related to animal mobility, a critical component of livestock welfare and production efficiency.
• **Preventive Health:** Development and implementation of strategies to prevent disease outbreaks, which includes vaccination protocols, parasite control, and biosecurity measures tailored for production systems.
• **Clinical Electives and Rotations:** Providing fourth-year veterinary students with intensive, hands-on learning experiences in food animal health and production management.
• **Continuing Education:** Offering workshops, forums, and outreach programs for practicing veterinarians and industry stakeholders to keep them abreast of the latest research and techniques.

Great Plains Vet Educational offers several compelling features that set it apart, especially for those involved in veterinary education and the livestock industry:

• **Unique Educational Focus:** GPVEC is a cornerstone of the cooperative agreement for veterinary medical education between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Iowa State University, emphasizing food animal health and beef production management.
• **Unparalleled Hands-On Experience:** Students gain valuable experience by working with the extensive livestock populations at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (over 8,000 beef cows, 1,800 sheep, and swine). This offers real-world exposure to large-scale livestock production cycles and health challenges.
• **Expert and Friendly Staff:** As noted in customer reviews, the doctors and staff are described as "extremely friendly and helpful," creating a supportive and effective learning and working environment.
• **Focus on Industry Stakeholders:** Research and outreach efforts are specifically geared toward generating data and providing practical, science-based information to help livestock producers improve preventive health strategies, efficiency, and profitability.
• **Scholarly Service and Research:** The center conducts critical clinical research focusing on epidemiology of disease in feedlot settings, management of disease in cow-calf enterprises, and analysis of production records.
• **Opportunities to Expand Knowledge:** Training includes opportunities for students to visit off-site locations, further broadening their exposure to different species and facets of the livestock industry.
• **Accommodation for Students:** The facility provides on-site housing for participating students, with one reviewer noting that the "dorm rooms were clean and the heater worked really well and fast for the winter."

To connect with Great Plains Vet Educational, whether for information on their educational programs, continuing education, or to inquire about their services and research focus, please use the following contact details:

• **Address:** NE-18D Spur, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
• **Phone:** (402) 762-4500
• **Mobile Phone:** +1 402-762-4500

The center's affiliation with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln ensures a professional and responsive point of contact for inquiries related to veterinary medicine, large animal production, and educational opportunities.

Choosing to engage with or learn from the Great Plains Vet Educational is a decision that puts you at the nexus of agricultural research, advanced veterinary practice, and high-level education in Nebraska. The unique combination of factors makes it an exceptional choice:

• **Depth of Expertise in Food Animal Health:** For anyone involved in the beef industry or large animal veterinary practice, the specialized knowledge and resources here are virtually unmatched in the region. The primary focus on beef cattle systems ensures that the education and services are directly relevant to the needs of Nebraska's producers.
• **Commitment to Real-World Application:** The integration with the US Meat Animal Research Center means that every lesson, every research project, and every clinical service is grounded in the practicalities of a large-scale working farm environment. This is far from theoretical—it’s applied science in action.
• **Professional and Supportive Environment:** The consistent praise from students regarding the welcoming and knowledgeable staff highlights a culture of mentorship and professionalism that enhances the learning experience significantly. This is a place where aspiring vets and seasoned practitioners can truly improve their livestock knowledge.
• **Contribution to the State and Region:** By choosing GPVEC, you are supporting an institution that actively contributes to the efficiency and profitability of the food animal industry, which is a major economic driver for Nebraska and the Great Plains region. Their work directly improves animal welfare and food safety practices across the industry.

Great Plains Vet Educational is not just a place for veterinary care; it is an **essential educational powerhouse** dedicated to solving 21st-century challenges in the livestock industry, making it an invaluable resource for students, practitioners, and producers alike.

Great Plains Vet Educational

NE-18D Spur, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA