The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) has recently made a significant change to their team, appointing Dr. Amanda Price as the new state veterinarian, as reported on Friday. After serving dedicatedly as an assistant state veterinarian for five years, Dr. Price is set to lead with her vast experience in the field of veterinary medicine, particularly in studying and caring for food animals.
UDAF Commissioner Craig Buttars, having witnessed Dr. Price's contributions, expressed enthusiasm about her new role. "Dr. Price has been a great asset to UDAF and the agriculture producers in the state of Utah for the last five years as assistant state veterinarian, and we are excited for her to take on the responsibilities of the state veterinarian moving forward," Buttars said, per Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
Prior to joining the department, Dr. Price boasted a robust career at Lander Veterinary Clinic in Turlock, CA, the largest food animal vet clinic in the U.S. where she served for 13 years. Her educational background is equally impressive, with a BS, MS, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine all obtained from UC Davis. The hands-on experience and knowledge she garnered during her extensive tenure are assets she brings to the fore in her new appointment.
Amidst her new responsibilities, Dr. Price shared her aspirations with the community, emphasizing the relational aspect of her role. "I look forward to continuing to work with the agriculture producers in Utah," Dr. Price said. “I have found that the most important part of this job is not only to protect the animals but to build relationships with the farmers and ranchers and earn their trust so we can better serve them and the agriculture and food industry as a whole," as obtained by Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
Looking ahead, Dr. Price is poised to drive initiatives that center on disease outbreak preparedness and response, outreach, and education, as well as enhancements to departmental procedures that assist in streamlining paperwork and registrations. These focuses reflect her commitment to strengthening ties with the agricultural community while also fortifying measures that safeguard animal welfare and public health.
