Oklahoma cattle group concerned about veterinary rule

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The head of a cattlemen's group says an emergency rule requiring Oklahoma companies that perform reproductive services on animals to have a veterinarian on staff could hurt the industry. The Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners removed reproductive services as an animal husbandry act and placed it as a veterinary procedure because prescription drugs are required.

Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association executive vice president Scott Dewald says non-veterinarians are doing a good job in reproductive services and added that the companies were formed partly because veterinarians couldn't keep up with the demand. Board executive director Cathy Kirkpatrick told The Oklahoman the rule's intent isn't to drive any of the state's reproductive services companies out of business. The rule will become permanent if legislators take no action on it next year.