A variety of topics ranging from fall-behind pigs to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) kicked off conversations during the 2026 American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) annual meeting. Swine veterinarians, researchers and industry experts from all over the world gathered together to learn how to “fail forward” and turn obstacles into opportunities.
“I chose this theme to reflect an essential truth of veterinary medicine: progress is rarely linear,” says Rebecca Robbins, DVM, AASV committee chair. “Mistakes and setbacks are not roadblocks; they are pathways to deeper understanding, innovation and better outcomes for pigs and their caretakers.”
When developing the program, she was inspired by Al Leman’s quote, “We’re just not making mistakes fast enough.” This led to a line-up of speakers and topics focused on learning from failure, not avoiding it.
Here’s a quick glimpse of what some of the experts had to say.
“Swine diagnostic medicine is an eloquent sequence of trial and error, salted with humility. Don’t be afraid to fail because of uncertainty, it’s always present. It’s not about getting it right, it’s about being wrong less. It’s about learning. Do not be restricted by the fear of getting it wrong. Diagnostic process requires curiosity, adaptability, reflection and collaboration.” – Darin Madson, DVM, with Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, in the Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture, “Diagnostic Airballs: Reserve the right to learn”
“Health is an integral component of all welfare frameworks. We have an opportunity to support impaired animal welfare by minimizing negative impacts, supporting positive experiences that contribute to recovery, providing timely euthanasia if/when necessary. Impaired animals have unique needs and preferences.” – Emiline Sundman, postdoc research associate, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, in the Angela Baysinger Memorial Lecture, “The Impaired Animal On-Farm: A vision for turning an animal welfare challenge into an animal welfare opportunity”
“Through the efforts of field-applied research and continuous learning, we have overcome obstacles and turned them into opportunities. We have the tools and knowledge. We have learned how to apply them in a systematic and coordinated process to improve our ability to control and eliminate PRRSV from farms, systems and regions. The components of regional PRRSV control offer a framework for programs to mitigate its economic, health and welfare impact.” – Reid Philips, DVM, in the Alex Hogg Memorial Lecture, “PRRS: Continuous learning and improvement by turning obstacles (and evidence) into opportunity”
“Disease is an interaction where context determines outcome. Disease is not just a pathogen. Host biology shapes outcome. Development, immunity and stress matter. Understanding disease requires depth.” – Adam Moeser, Matilda R. Wilson Endowed Chair in the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, in “Thinking Forward, Looking Back: Redefining value in basic research for swine health”
“Doing many little things correctly results in measurable success.” – Christine Mainquist-Whigham, DVM, director of health at Pillen Family Farms/DNA Genetics, in “Starting and Managing the Fall-Behind Pig”
“Are we dating or getting married? Provide realistic guidance for culling decisions. What is her true potential for recovery? For me, there is a higher moral value to a cull animal than one that dies or has to be euthanized.” – Ian Levis, DVM and senior operations manager Seaboard Foods in, “One Sytem’s Approach to Improve Sow Mortality”
