- Employers are stepping up their efforts to offer pet insurance and other pet-related benefits to their employees, HR Dive reports. In 2022, 36% of large employers (those with more than 500 workers) provided pet insurance options to staff, up 22% from five years before, according to consulting firm Mercer. Pet insurance can serve as an attraction and retention tool but also as a financial and well-being benefit, according to David Hurley, director of sales of voluntary benefits for member/specialty groups at Nationwide Pet. Pet insurance plans purchased through employers represent 70% of Nationwide’s pet insurance business, and people with plans typically submit two to three claims per year.
- The University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine’s pursuit of full U.S. accreditation could be at risk in part because too many members of its first class have not passed a crucial test of their competency in entry-level clinical practice: the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination. The college recently disclosed on its website that only 72% of its inaugural class passed the NAVLE before graduating in August. The school, which opened in 2020, needs a pass rate of 80% or better to receive full accreditation from the AVMA Council on Education, the VIN News Service reports.
- Cattle markets continue to decline from September levels, but cattle producers are still taking advantage of much stronger prices. Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist Derrell Peel said producers have indicated to him in numerous meetings this fall that the majority of steers and heifers they are selling is to capitalize on higher prices but also because of ongoing drought and pasture and hay limitations. Peel relayed that reported national feeder cattle volumes (auction, direct and video/internet) are up 5.6% year-over-year since Labor Day, with the majority in September, which contributed to the large September feedlot placements. The total volume in October was up 2.4% but down year-over-year at the end of October and beginning of November.