The Illinois General Assembly passed a state budget over the weekend that includes $750,000 for the Illinois Department of Agriculture to hire more state veterinarians.

Illinois Beef Association Executive Vice President Josh St. Peters tells Brownfield they’ve worked closely with other state ag groups on this effort as animal diseases like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and African Swine Fever remain a top concern for livestock producers.

“Today, the Illinois Department of Agriculture only has one field veterinarian on staff to serve all of our livestock producers.

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