Veterinary Education

Bugs Beware: Next Gen Prepares to Combat Insect Threats to Animal Health

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:42:45 GMT

The nation is facing a critical shortage of veterinary entomologists. Kansas State University is ramping up efforts to create awareness and opportunity for students interested in playing a crucial role in safeguarding livestock health and agricultural economies by studying insects and ticks that affect animals.

“With increasing insecticide resistance and the emergence of new tick and tick-borne pathogen species, our capacity to meet future research, extension and teaching needs in this area is more critical than ever,” Cassandra Olds, assistant professor of entomology at K-State, says in a release.

To address this increasing challenge, Olds collaborated with other university veterinary entomologists to develop the Research and Extension Experience in Veterinary Entomology for Students (REEVES) program .

“Despite the significant impact arthropods like ticks and insects have on livestock production, there’s a serious lack of trained veterinary entomologists,” Olds says. “Many students simply aren’t aware of this viable career path or what it entails.”

Funded by the USDA-NIFA and led by the University of Tennessee, the 8-week summer residential program offers an immersive, hands-on experience in veterinary entomology research and extension.

“The overarching goal of REEVES is to introduce and train talented individuals for graduate and professional programs, as well as livestock-associated careers that emphasize team science,” the release says. “The program educates them on the fundamentals of veterinary entomology and provides them with real-world project experience relevant to the needs of stakeholders.”

Two scholars are placed at each participating institution each year, K-State, University of Tennessee, Texas A&M and University of Georgia, and will run from 2025 till 2028.

Not only will REEVES scholars engage in impactful research, but they will also have the opportunity to present their research at the annual Livestock Insect Workers Conference and an online REEVES Expo. For example, K-State scholars evaluated the impact of stable flies on cattle performance in feedlots this year and investigated recent outbreaks of Theileria orientalis in the region.

“For me, the most exciting aspect of this field is the chance to do good at every level,” Olds adds. “You have the opportunity to positively impact both animal health and well-being, while simultaneously improving the livelihoods of the people who own them.”

American Association of Swine Veterinarians Announces Swine Spectacular Seminar and Wet Lab

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:58:47 GMT

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) announces the Swine Spectacular Seminar & Wet Lab, an engaging veterinary continuing education event designed to build comfort and confidence in individual pig medicine. This one-day event is tailored to answer the real-world questions that arise in the clinic and provide hands-on practice. The Swine Spectacular is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, in conjunction with the 57th AASV Annual Meeting .

AASV’s newest educational offering focuses on providing a strong foundation in individual pig medicine and preventative care, offering 7 hours of veterinary continuing education. The morning seminar will be held at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel, followed by an afternoon wet lab at the Viticus Center.

Participants will gain immediately applicable, real-world skills through an interactive format, including hands-on learning with both live pigs and cadavers. Key takeaways include:

· Fundamentals of individual pig husbandry: Nutrition, housing, vaccinations, and preventative health

· Practical techniques: Basic pharmacology, anesthesia, and surgical techniques

· Hands-on essential procedures: Trimming hooves, administering medications, conducting routine surgical procedures, and performing necropsies and diagnostic evaluations. View the full program here .

The Swine Spectacular is ideal for practitioners just getting started in swine medicine or mixed-animal practitioners who see pet pigs, show pigs, or niche and hobby-farm pigs. Whether you’re seeking to improve your comfort level with routine pig cases or expand your services, this workshop offers practical, immediately applicable skills. Veterinary students are welcome to register at the full seminar fee.

Early registration ends Friday, January 23. Registration includes the seminar and wet lab, refreshments, lunch, and round-trip transportation between the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and the Viticus Center. Registration is limited to 40 participants. Registration for this seminar is separate from the AASV Annual Meeting, and registration for the AASV Annual Meeting is not required.

The AASV 2026 Annual Meeting will take place from February 28 to March 3, 2026, at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Swine Spectacular is scheduled just prior to the main conference, offering an ideal start to the week of professional development.

Mexico Takes Additional Measures to Help Fight New World Screwworm

Thu, 01 May 2025 18:24:33 GMT

USDA has announced that Mexico agreed to additional measures to help fight New World Screwworm (NWS). The U.S. had given Mexico a deadline of April 30 to follow protocols in place or the U.S. would put restrictions on cattle imports.

USDA Secretary Rollins posted on X.com that Mexico has resumed efforts to help fight NWS with the following:

Eliminate restrictions on USDA aircraft
Waive customs duties on eradication equipment
Increase surveillance

(X.com)

Rollins says ports will remain open to livestock imports at this time, however if at any time these terms are not upheld, port closure will be revisited. The secretary had sent a letter to Mexico outlining the expectations for cooperation on the issue.

Protocols had been established in February after the pest was discovered in southern Mexico in November 2024.

“I am happy to share Mexico has continued to partner in emergency efforts to eradicate the New World Screwworm,” Rollins says. “This pest is a devastating threat to both of our economies, and I am pleased to work together with Mexico in good faith to protect the livelihoods of our ranchers and producers who would have been hurt by this pest.”

Rollins reiterated that USDA is working every day to keep pests and disease from harming the agricultural industry.

“I thank our frontline USDA staff and their counterparts in Mexico for their work to ensure the screwworm does not harm our livestock industry,” she adds.

NWS is a deadly parasitic fly that infests warm-blooded animals, causing severe wounds and complications that can lead to death.

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Legislators Reintroduce Bill to Recruit and Retain Veterinarians in High-Need Areas

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 20:44:19 GMT

The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act, bipartisan legislation to help recruit and retain veterinarians in underserved and rural areas, was reintroduced by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Representatives Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and John Larson (D-Conn.).

“In nearly every state in the country, there are shortages for veterinarians, especially in rural areas,” Sen. Smith says. “This record shortage causes serious harm to the health of animals and the public. Providing additional funding to the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) and updating the tax code to better serve veterinarians will allow more qualified vets to do vital work with our animals in underserved communities.”

Strongly endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), this would expand the reach and maximize the allocated funding of the highly successful VMLRP, which can help to attract veterinarians in USDA-designated veterinary shortage areas by assisting with the significant obstacle of educational debt. It would also end the federal taxation on VMLRP awards, allowing more veterinarians to participate in a program that offers up to $120,000 over three years for student loan repayment in exchange for service in one of the designated shortage areas. In addition, it would align the tax code with human and other healthcare professions’ award funds.

“Veterinarians are vital to the work of America’s farmers and ranchers and the integrity of our food supply chain. Yet many areas of the country suffer from lack of access to their services,” Rep. Smith says. “This bipartisan bill would make commonsense tax relief available to veterinarians who choose to live and work in the communities which need their help to care for their livestock and protect the agriculture industry from pests and disease. I thank my colleagues for joining me in reintroducing it.”

In 2025, the USDA declared 243 rural veterinary shortage areas in 46 states, which is the highest number of shortage areas ever, AVMA said in a release. Since 2010, the USDA has awarded 883 VMLRP awards to veterinarians; meanwhile, 2,197 applications have been received to participate in the program since its inception.

“Recruiting and retaining veterinarians through the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act is key to protecting our nation’s food supply, preserving animal welfare, and upholding public health,” Sandra Faeh, AVMA president, said in a release. “Livestock and public health veterinarians are essential to strengthening the nation’s animal health infrastructure and agricultural economy. We urge Congress to address this increasingly important issue by passing the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act.”

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Eliminating Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae is Good for Sows, Too

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Eliminating Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MHP) doesn’t just produce benefits in downstream pig performance, it also produces benefits at the sow farm, says Lindsey Britton, a veterinary student at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. MHP is a bacteria that is the causative agent of swine enzootic pneumonia, which leads to a chronic dry cough and reduced pig performance.

“After being a part of MHP elimination on farms, the question was raised if MHP had any impact on reproductive performance of sows,” she said during her student oral presentation at the American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif., on March 2. “We know any disease that impacts a gilt’s growth and development can have an impact on her reproductive performance, so we used this knowledge to form our objective to determine if Mycoplasma elimination had an impact on the retention rates and reproductive performance of gilts within commercial sow farms.”

A Performance Impact
Britton’s study was a retrospective analysis looking at cohorts of 10 gilts randomly selected from eight farms of similar health status at four distinct farm entry time points: two years prior to MHP elimination; one year prior; one week after; and three months after MHP elimination began. Reproductive performance of the gilts was followed from farm entry at breeding through rebreeding after their third parity, she explains.

“Gilts that entered production during the MHP eliminating period produced more total pigs, pigs born alive and pigs weaned compared with animals that entered production before MHP elimination. They also exhibited more productive days in the herd, a greater retention rate, and more litters farrowed,” Britton says.

Her study showed that MHP elimination has a positive impact on sow retention and reproductive performance, increasing the number of animals still in the herd after their third parity as well as producing more pigs total born and more pigs weaned.

“We have always considered MHP to be a pathogen commonly affecting grow-finish animals, but this study was able to establish some foundational work that MHP not only affects finishing animals but that it also has an impact on gilt retention and reproductive performance on the sow farm,” Britton says.

She believes this is one more reason why producers should consider MHP elimination.

“This could be an added incentive to go through the process to eliminate the pathogen,” Britton points out. “Eliminating MHP from a breeding herd will allow producers to retain animals for a longer period, produce more pigs, and have a potential additional profit of getting more weaned pigs out the door. The additional health benefits of downstream animals would be seen in decreased medication usage and cost, decreased time to market, and increased feed efficiency.”

Lindsey Britton

(Lindsey Britton)

Britton was one of 15 students who competed in the oral presentation contest at the AASV annual meeting. Read more here.

What Was Top of Mind for Veterinarians at the AASV Annual Meeting?

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 01:37:27 GMT

A variety of topics ranging from H5N1 to the future of the veterinary industry kicked off conversations during the 2025 American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif., taking place March 1-4. Swine veterinarians, researchers and industry experts from all over the world gathered to dig into the conference theme of being the pig’s champion.

Here’s a quick glimpse of what some of the experts had to say.

Cara Haden

(Jennifer Shike)

“Today we are sitting in a room in California, and I am telling you that our industry needs to shift to focus on the needs and wants of the Californian consumer. Our industry will not thrive if we cannot win over the millennial and Generation Z consumers of California. At the exact same time, I am aware that the Californian consumer has no idea how food is produced in the United States. They are in no way qualified to determine how pigs are raised. So how do we move forward with both things being true?” – Cara Haden, DVM, with Pipestone in the Alex Hogg Memorial Lecture “Who Gets to Be the Pig’s Champion?”

Clayton Johnson

(Jennifer Shike)

“The things I’m most proud of are the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’m proud of the fact that farms and farmers call us when they face difficult situations. When the barn is on fire, when the roof collapses – they call us to make the difficult decisions. I’m proud to be a veterinarian.” – Clayton Johnson, DVM, with Carthage Veterinary Service in the Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture “The Challenges and Opportunities of Becoming the Pig’s Champion”

Anna Johnson

(Jennifer Shike)

“When needed, stand up for your profession and the swine industry when claims are blatantly untrue. However, do not be too quick to fall on the sword and always defend the status-quo. Let’s be honest, some housing and production practices have dubious effects on pig welfare and we need to own that. It is critical as practitioners to keep listening and learning. We should always be thinking ‘How can I do and be better today?’” – Anna Johnson, professor of animal behavior and welfare in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University, in “Advancing Pig Welfare Together: Standing on the Shoulders of Angela”

Montse Torremorell

(Jennifer Shike)

“A comprehensive flu control program must consider biosecurity measures that address indirect transmission routes. Now is the time to strengthen our biosecurity measures.” – Montse Torremorell in “Don’t be a Fomite: The Role of PPE”

Glauber Machado

(Jennifer Shike)

“We have many challenges for the future of the Brazilian swine industry: limitations of logistical infrastructure, limited access to credit and financial cost of investment, continued effort for prudent use of antimicrobials, gradual adaptation to animal welfare regulations and we need to raise biosecurity standards at the farm level.” – Glauber Machado in “Brazilian swine industry: An update on actual strategies and future perspectives”

Angel Manabat

(Jennifer Shike)

“We are still fighting ASF. It’s a slow burn in the Philippines. It’s important right now to make sure we have the diagnostics available that you have in the U.S. Every case that looks like African swine fever (ASF) or could be the start of ASF, we test immediately. If a sow doesn’t eat, we have the sow tested for ASF because we know how fast it can go.” – Angel Manabat in “ASF Control and Management Challenges in the Philippines”

Phil Gauger

(Jennifer Shike)

“Spillover influenza from humans to swine occur often, but some remain undetected. When we have a heavy influenza season on the human side, we will see a greater spillover into swine. It may be why we are seeing more of the H3s now.” – Phil Gauger in “Human Spillover Cases in Swine”

Scanlon Daniels

(Jennifer Shike)

“If this wasn’t H5 and was just another flu virus, we’d have vaccine in pigs in two weeks. This is a different beast because of regulatory authority and implications on trade.” – Scanlon Daniels in “Expect the Unexpected: Are Swine Veterinarians Ready for H5N1?”

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University of Illinois Partnership Helps Solve Critical Need to Develop Food Animal Veterinarians

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 16:21:33 GMT

High-achieving students with an interest in food animal veterinary sciences will now have an expedited pathway for admission at the College of Veterinary Medicine (Vet Med) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A new program allows animal sciences majors to gain early acceptance at Vet Med if they maintain a 3.5 GPA, complete livestock-related courses and experiences, and plan to become food animal veterinarians.

“It’s more important than ever for highly trained veterinarians to keep livestock herds safe and healthy. It’s a critical need for the livestock industry. This is one way we can help support students with that interest, and we’re really excited about it,” said Anna Dilger, professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at Illinois.

Rather than applying to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at Illinois during the fall of their senior year, students with a demonstrated interest in food animal care can apply to the new early acceptance program in the spring of their sophomore year. Dilger says early acceptance allows students to focus on completing their undergraduate degrees with less stress and more attention to courses that will prepare them for the livestock industry.

“The classes our students take in their junior and senior years — like beef production and livestock feeds and feeding — are really designed to make them better practitioners in the context of food animal production,” Dilger said. “They’re not going to get that type of training in vet school, but they will be better prepared as future veterinarians for the workforce.”

A handful of other veterinary schools across the country offer early acceptance to enrolled undergraduates, but few focus on food animals.

“The veterinary profession has identified the need for more practitioners in the food animal and mixed animal fields, especially in rural areas,” said Sara Connolly, assistant dean for admissions and student success at Vet Med. “There are currently more than 12 times the number of veterinarians practicing in companion animal medicine than in food animal or mixed practice. We hope the early admissions program will help address this need, particularly in Illinois, by encouraging future veterinarians with a food animal interest.”

Dan Shike, interim department head for animal sciences, hopes the program will entice new and existing students to pursue careers in food animal medicine.

“We’d love for this to attract prospective students to our department. Students come to us knowing they want to work with animals, but not many of them realize that food animal medicine is an interest at first,” he said. “Our curriculum develops that interest over time. After three semesters, when it’s time to apply for this program, they might realize it could be a great career opportunity.”

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Lallemand Animal Nutrition Awards $14,000 in Scholarships

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 16:46:45 GMT

The Lallemand Animal Nutrition Scholarship Committee awarded five scholarships to up-and-coming students and established scholars within agriculture. This is the tenth year the company awarded the scholarships, which reward students for their exceptional achievements and dedication to the field of agriculture.

“We are proud to support the next generation of agricultural leaders,” says Jeff Ast, commercial director for Lallemand Animal Nutrition, North and South America. “This unique program seeks both undergraduate and graduate students because our judging panel recognizes that dedication to agriculture can be found at all educational levels.”

The five students receiving scholarships are:

* Mary Lewandowski, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay

* Sydney Wyman, who is majoring in animal science at Morehead State University

* Michael Starnes, a graduate student studying food safety at Texas Tech University

* Grant Fincham, who is pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

* Mikayla Schlosser, a dual-degree veterinary student at the University of Minnesota, pursuing both a doctorate in veterinary medicine and a doctorate in population medicine

Students’ Future Goals

Mary Lewandowski – Undergraduate student recipient Lewandowski hails from a sixth-generation, 50-cow dairy farm in Bevent, Wisc. She recently graduated from Northcentral Technical College with associate degrees in agribusiness and dairy science. Lewandowski aspires to bridge the gap between consumers and agriculturists through a career in agricultural advocacy.

Sydney Wyman – Undergraduate student recipient Wyman has been immersed in the livestock industry her entire life, growing up in a small town in the Sierra Nevada mountains. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition and eventually become a dairy nutritionist.

Michael Starnes – Graduate student recipient Starnes already holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and has interned with the National Farmers Union in Washington, D.C. With a long-term goal of working in food safety legislation, his current research at Texas Tech University focuses on Salmonella and E. coli mitigation strategies in beef and pork.

Grant Fincham – Doctoral student recipient Fincham grew up on a 200-cow Holstein dairy farm in northeast Kansas. He holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Fincham is focusing on dairy cattle whole animal energy utilization in his doctoral program.

Mikayla Schlosser – Veterinary medicine student recipient Schlosser’s passion for poultry production and commitment to global food security drive her studies and career aspirations in population medicine. She is deeply committed to advancing the sustainability and security of global food systems.

For more information about Lallemand Animal Nutrition and the Lallemand Scholarship program, visit www.lallemandanimalnutrition.com.

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Texas Tech Veterinarian Weighs In On New World Screwworm

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 13:26:40 GMT

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has heightened import restrictions on animal products from Mexico since detection of New World Screwworm in a Mexican cow on Nov. 22. It has also intensified efforts in Central America to contain the spread of New World screwworm. Animal health experts say it’s warranted as it’s a significant threat to U.S. animal health.

“It can have a huge impact, certainly an economic impact, because it decreases the health and wellness of our livestock,” says Jennifer Koziol, associate professor of food animal medicine and surgery, Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine. “We’re thinking about loss of animal use, and certainly thinking about our wildlife populations that could be decimated by this disease.”

The pest can infest any warm-blooded animal, including humans.

“The screwworm fly lies its eggs in an open wound on the animal,” Koziol says. “These larvae or worms just eat the flesh of that animal. It can be devastating to any animal that becomes infected with screwworm.”

Koziol advises producers to monitor herds, especially in the southern U.S., and use preventative measures, including sterile fly introduction or animal health products.

“It looks like Doramectin has about a 28-day efficacy period against this,” she adds. “Ivermectin is similar. We’re looking at those products and how we can use them as an aid in preventing disease.”

According to APHIS, it appears this case is isolated, which leaves the cattle industry asking when will the border restrictions ease for Mexican cattle and product imports.

Koziol says the border could likely open after Christmas or around the first of January.

“We’re working really hard to set up some pre-export pens that APHIS will go in and OK and feeling very good about the protocols set in place,” she adds.

Impact on Cattle Prices
Market analysts say when the border reopens it might hurt cattle prices in the South more than the North.

“They could break a little bit, but I think the reality of the deal is it looks like there’s enough people out there who believe that ownership is the key when it comes to having some cattle around them as tight supplies are very, very tight of yearling-type steers,” says Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek. “That’s going to still put a prop underneath the thing because the cash index is so strong.”

The price impact will likely be short lived.

Read more: New World Screwworm: Latest Update from USDA-APHIS

APHIS Increases Import Restrictions on Animal Products from Mexico on Confirmed Case of New World Screwworm

Oklahoma Initiatives to Address Rural Veterinary Issues

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 21:12:27 GMT

Over the past several years, Oklahoma legislative and agricultural industry leaders have invested in supporting the OSU CVM, its students, and graduates. During the 2023 session, the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority (OSUVMA) was created through House Bill 2863 for the purposes of supporting the educational, research, and practice activities of the CVM. The OSUVMA secures long-term support for clinical faculty, student training, and the veterinary teaching hospital, similar to how the OSU Medical Authority and the University Hospitals Authority support the state’s medical schools.

Additionally, during the 2024 legislative session, House Bill 3196, the Dr. Lee Denney Act, was passed to provide financial support for students pursuing a veterinary medicine degree at OSU to practice in rural Oklahoma communities and receive training to meet the needs of livestock producers. Preference for awards will be given to those students who are focused on large animal veterinary medicine, who are Oklahoma residents, and who agree to serve in a community in Oklahoma which has a population not to exceed 25,000. HB 3196 also provides language for support of large animal veterinarians currently practicing in similarly sized communities.

Oklahoma State University is joining a new pilot program from Farm Journal Foundation (FJF) to support veterinary students and early career veterinary graduates in their professional development and address the national shortage of rural, food-supply veterinarians. The university is one of 10 schools participating in the Veterinary Workforce Solutions Program. The program supports veterinary students across a number of areas, including tackling student debt and financial planning, developing business management skills, and learning how to engage with rural communities. More information, including educational modules for undergraduates, veterinary students, and veterinarians can be found at www.ruralveterinaryworkforcesolutions.org .

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry is also collaborating with the FJF to assess Oklahoma’s unique challenges, as well as mechanisms to support veterinarians, producers, and rural communities. Oklahoma is one of only three states participating in this initiative. Data collection is currently ongoing from veterinary and agricultural stakeholders. Information will be analyzed to develop measures to support the veterinary workforce and community readiness.

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Influenza Expert Gets Real About the H5N1 Risk to Your Swine Herd

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 22:11:28 GMT

Is influenza a greater concern to pigs and people in light of the Oct. 30 USDA announcement that H5N1 was detected for the first time ever in a pig from a backyard Oregon farm? If so, how?

Andrew Bowman, DVM, one of the country’s top swine influenza experts, joined The PORK Podcast to answer that question and more during a special report on H5N1. A professor in the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine at The Ohio State University, he is well known for his expertise in swine production medicine, veterinary public health and epidemiology.

“Across the swine industry, we routinely deal with influenza, so we’re pretty well versed in flu,” Bowman says. “But this adds a whole other character to the scene that we really don’t want and reassorting with the flu viruses we already have.”

This isn’t just something that will go away, he adds. This is a topic that’s becoming a bigger issue across the ‘entire proverbial barnyard.”

“Poultry has been dealing with this problem for a while. Dairy, this year, has joined the influenza game. Pigs have had our own endemic strain. The idea that high-path might be affecting pigs as well, and even if not, is a good warning sign the threat is there,” he says.

It’s an important topic for the pork industry to think about, Bowman points out. Oregon might be miles from your farm, but the threat isn’t going away. So, how are you trying to keep diseases such as influenza out of your herd with biosecurity protocols?

“We need to work together. I don’t think there’s much finger pointing left in the flu world. We’re all on the same bus, and we need to figure out how we manage this,” Bowman says. “Granted, it will be different in different species, but this is a problem everyone’s having to deal with.”

Listen to the podcast here as Bowman tackles some of host Jennifer Shike’s questions after hearing USDA’s announcement.

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Why Students Should Apply for the 2025 Summer Veterinary Internship Program Now

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 21:48:54 GMT

The Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine (ISU CVM) is seeking veterinary student applicants for summer 2025 swine, bovine and poultry internship positions.

Will Fombelle, DVM, is a veteran of several internships spread across his undergraduate studies in animal sciences and also into his veterinary school education. During the summer of 2012, he completed the Swine Veterinary Internship Program (SVIP).

“While in school, I took on the attitude of completing as many internships as I possibly could in order to not only narrow down my career choice but also my future employer. By participating in these programs, I was able to mold my interests into the fields of swine medicine and production which greatly accelerated my vision of where I chose to start my career in veterinary medicine at Carthage Veterinary Service,” he said in a previous PorkBusiness.com article .

Participants in the SVIP collaborate with a mentoring veterinarian or team of veterinarians at a production system or practice. Students are immersed in modern swine production and health daily and take the lead on designing and executing a field trial with guidance from mentors, ISU CVM said on its website . Students also take part in diagnostic test sampling and implement the principles and methods of swine diagnostic collection, testing and interpretation.

“Even if your university has classes well into the summer, you have a study abroad trip planned, a wedding or another reason you might not be able to commit to the entire 12 weeks, go ahead and apply,” ISU CVM encouraged. “Just note your availability in the section where it asks about conflicts. We can’t guarantee we can accommodate all schedules but if a student is selected we will try our hardest to be flexible and make it work.”

Applications are due Dec. 1, 2024 (late applications are accepted but higher priority will be given to those received by Dec. 1).

Apply here.

“These summer internships are the first exposure for students to the real world, and we should do our best to make each student’s experience a positive one,” Fombelle wrote.

Learn more here.

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Top 10 Veterinary Colleges Announced

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 21:29:40 GMT

If you and friends enjoy bantering about which college of veterinary medicine is best, a new report will simply add more fuel to your conversational fire.

London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) announced its inaugural ranking of the world’s best veterinary colleges in March. At No. 1 globally is the University of California-Davis. Two additional U.S.-based schools round out the top 10, with the remaining seven located in Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK), respectively. See the complete listing below.

QS says the rankings are based on four factors: academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations and H-index. The latter, QS says, “is a way of measuring both the productivity and impact of the published work of a scientist or scholar.”

QS bills itself as the “world’s leading provider of services, analytics and insight to the global higher education sector.” The rankings were announced in partnership with Elsevier, a Dutch publishing and analytics company. More information on the methodology is available at topuniversities.com.

Top 10 Veterinary Colleges
#1. University of California-Davis

#2. University of London-UK

#3. Cornell University

#4. Utrecht University-Netherlands

#5. University of Guelph-Canada

#6. University of Edinburgh-UK

#7. University of Cambridge-UK

#8. Michigan State University (tie)

#8. Vets Faculty-Switzerland (tie)

#10. University of Copenhagen-Denmark

Other U.S. schools QS says are of interest:

The Ohio State University
University of Minnesota
University of Pennsylvania
Colorado State University
North Carolina State University
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Iowa State University

Texas Tech Adds Large-Animal Veterinarian To Staff

Kansas State University Partners with Farm Journal Foundation to Address Rural Veterinary Shortage

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:52:57 GMT

Kansas State University is joining a new pilot program from Farm Journal Foundation to support veterinary students in their career development and address the national shortage of rural, food-systems veterinarians.

The university is one of nine schools participating in the Veterinary Workforce Solutions Program, which seeks to address structural challenges facing the food animal veterinary industry. The program, backed by support from the Zoetis Foundation, supports veterinary students across a number of areas, including tackling student debt and financial planning, developing business management skills, and learning how to engage with rural communities.

“This program was designed to aid students to advance their careers, and in turn, students also provide key insights of how to make the educational components of this program better,” said Clint Neill, PhD, Veterinary Program Manager at Farm Journal Foundation. “We are excited to see this resource evolve with student feedback, and we look forward to continuing to help them build robust future careers.”

The U.S. is currently facing a nationwide shortage of veterinarians to treat livestock and poultry in rural areas, threatening public health, food safety, and economic growth in communities that depend on agriculture, according to a recent report commissioned by Farm Journal Foundation.

More than 900 counties across the U.S. currently face shortages of veterinarians, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Only 3% to 4% of new veterinary school graduates pursue livestock or other food animal practice areas, a stark decline from 40 years ago when about 40 percent of graduates specialized in this area.

Expanding the role of universities and partners increases the opportunities for students and early career professionals to support a strong pipeline of industry professionals as the need grows. Through the program, participants will also get advice from Farm Journal Foundation’s Veterinary Ambassadors, a group of experienced veterinarians and educators who serve as mentors and champions of workforce development.

“A robust supply of food-systems veterinarians is critical to rural agricultural production,” said Dr. Brad White, DVM, Kansas State University professor and Farm Journal Foundation Veterinary Ambassador. “The Veterinary Workforce Solutions program is bringing together expertise from a variety of areas to address current challenges and identify opportunities to promote rural veterinary services. I think this program will be beneficial to current and future rural veterinary practitioners.”

To date, the pilot program has reached 450 students and early career professionals. Feedback from students shows more than 50 percent know where they want to practice and 70 percent know they want to start their own business in the future. Sixty percent of students say they would like mentorship after graduation.

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What Swine Veterinarians Need Most Right Now

Mon, 20 May 2024 21:20:38 GMT

Veterinarian Jana Morgan was presented with a unique opportunity 15 years ago to be part of a first-time gathering of young veterinarians in the swine industry. DVM Swine Academy, organized by Boehringer Ingelheim, had one simple goal: to create a peer group for new veterinarians to be able to learn from key opinion leaders in the industry, to discuss issues they were encountering in their careers, and to create a safe environment for them to open up and build their knowledge together.

“I consider many of those people in my DVM Swine Academy group good friends still today,” Morgan says. “No one is scared to call anyone or to send an email to the group. No one ever makes you feel like you’ve asked a dumb question. That’s one of the goals behind it – to form a peer group of veterinarians that get to know each other on a personal and professional level.”

Through the years, Morgan has stepped up to manage DVM Swine Academy in addition to her role as a key account veterinarian at Boehringer Ingelheim. From setting up modules to organizing speakers to working with the young veterinarians, Morgan says she really loves getting to lead DVM Swine Academy.

“Boehringer Ingelheim sees value in helping young veterinarians ask questions and learn. We hope it’s a way we can help them create their own value and bring something back to the producer, too,” she says.

Intentional Interaction

Although the swine industry is small enough that you will likely meet or see people again and again at professional meetings, Morgan believes it’s a different result when you are put into a small group together and encouraged to interact at a deeper level.

“When you know you can talk about things in a room where everyone is open for discussions, and you know you won’t be judged by bringing up whatever issue you might be seeing or dealing with, it builds confidence,” Morgan says.

DVM Swine Academy kicked off its 8th class in April. A new class forms every two years and is limited to 20 or less people by invitation or recommendation. The goal is to bring in veterinarians with less than five years of experience to form a group that works through six modules during the course of two years. The modules cover a variety of important and relevant topics from immunology and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) to conflict resolution and ventilation. Each group’s topics vary slightly as opportunities are created for participants to help select the topics of importance for the modules.

“We meet in a relaxed location without a lot of bells and whistles,” Morgan says. “We have dinner on the first evening together. We talk and get to know people on a different level. I believe the personal component helps break down walls and establish that it is a safe place to share.”

Cutting-Edge Conversations

Boehringer Ingelheim chooses top-notch experts to present, she adds. They want it to be a worthwhile learning experience for everyone involved. Daniel Linhares, professor and director of graduate education at Iowa State University, is one of the featured speakers who has presented many times over the years on PRRS management.

“That includes monitoring, response to PRRS, control and elimination strategies,” Linhares says. “PRRS virus is the single most important pathogen that impacts pigs and their ability to reach their full genetic potential. It’s a big threat in terms of domestic disease in our country.”

He values the opportunity to hear from the younger veterinarians and discover what’s working and what’s not for them in terms of PRRS management methods.

“Each participant brings their own perspectives,” Linhares says. “We always learn because we gain insight into their minds. It’s valuable to us to know what areas need further research or exploration. We discover needs and gaps.”

Cross-System Collaboration

Veterinarians often talk internally with their companies. Linhares says the ability to create cross-system peer groups offers the larger swine industry many benefits.

“Sometimes you see a problem in Clinic A and can learn from someone in Clinic B who has already dealt with it,” he points out. “It’s a nice benchmarking opportunity to learn from each other.”

That’s one of the benefits Erin Kettelkamp, a veterinarian with Swine Vet Center in Saint Peter, Minn., appreciates most about her DVM Swine Academy peer group.

“It’s a great way to create new circles – and it’s not always with people fresh out of school – it’s a range,” Kettelkamp says. “It’s nice to stratify those ages a little to create good mingling among the groups. I believe being able to collaborate and bring that back to wherever you work has a ton of value.”

She also values the customization of modules.

“Dr. Morgan has been great at listing out popular topics for us to choose from. We start with one of the most popular modules. From there, we have time to get the wheels turning and have great discussions over future topics at dinners, etc. The curriculum continues to get stronger and always stays relevant because it’s not planned in advance,” Kettelkamp says. “Things can change depending on speaker availability and the program has the ability to pull in experts, which contributes to the quality of the content we experience.”

A Dose of Fresh Perspective

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of DVM Swine Academy is the emotional support it can provide to people in one of the most demanding careers from a mental health standpoint.

“As veterinarians, we care,” Morgan says. “We want to do the right thing. We are pulled in multiple directions and put a lot of time and focus into a lot of different things.”

In the end, that results in great pressure on an individual. Morgan says if you don’t have a group or someone you can call that is going through similar things, it makes it hard and keeps you on an island.

“I think having that group to call, to know you’ve already made a connection with someone who may be dealing with a similar issue and will listen is so helpful,” Morgan says.

Kettelkamp enjoyed the opportunity to simply get away from work for a day or two to gain a new perspective, she says.

“When we sit together and share, that eases some of the mental load for the young vet realizing they have more people to compare notes with and relate to at the time,” Kettelkamp says. “There is some venting that goes along with this life stage and pace, so it’s nice to have someone else to relate to outside of your immediate colleagues at work.”

It’s a privilege to be a part of DVM Swine Academy, she adds.

“I appreciate the opportunity to have this continuing education experience which is very valuable in order to generate some key takeaways we can then work on in the field,” Kettelkamp says.

Hear from more Kettelkamp and other alumni of the program here .

Read More:

It’s Time to Talk About Depopulation in the U.S. Swine Industry

Sad Doesn’t Mean Wrong: The Impact of Animal Depopulation

How Iowa State University is Developing the Future of Production Animal Medicine

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 18:01:33 GMT

A recent American Veterinary Medical Association study found less than 4% of veterinarians nationwide predominantly practice production animal medicine.

That’s why Production Animal – Veterinary Early Acceptance Program (PA-VEAP), a joint program between the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Animal Science in Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has been established with the goal of educating more veterinarians who wish to practice production animal medicine.

PA-VEAP will recruit and retain future veterinarians to practice production animal medicine, primarily in underserved areas in Iowa and throughout the country, according to an Iowa State University release.

“Currently, there is a nationwide shortage of veterinarians in all sectors of the profession,” Dan Grooms, the Dr. Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of Veterinary Medicine, said in a release. “With the PA-VEAP program, we are helping to address the critical need for veterinarians to support Iowa’s $32 billion animal agriculture industry.”

An undergraduate program for students majoring in animal science or dairy science at Iowa State, PA-VEAP requires students must also be pursuing completion of an undergraduate certificate in beef cattle, dairy cattle, poultry or swine production management.

“The declining number of veterinarians supporting the production animal industry poses a significant food security threat,” Justin Brown, assistant professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine and the director of the program, said in a release. “This shortage also presents an opportunity for students interested in production animal medicine to become a resource for underserved areas.”

To launch the program, the first round of applications are due in late December 2023. Initially, PA-VEAP will enroll 10 students per year. Once enrolled in the program, students will be assigned a program advisor from both the Department of Animal Science and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

“This program provides students with a demonstrated interest in production animal medicine a community of support and mentorship while gaining hands-on training and industry experience through the animal science curriculum,” Jodi Sterle, associate chair of teaching and undergraduate teaching coordinator in the animal science department, said in a release. “By participating in this program, students can gain valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges facing production animal veterinarians, and prepare themselves for the rigorous veterinary curriculum, as well as a successful career.”

Eligible undergraduate students completing their third semester post-high school (i.e. sophomores) with a minimum grade point average of 3.4 are encouraged to apply for the inaugural class. Undergraduate students entering Iowa State directly from high school can apply to the program after completing their second semester at Iowa State.

“Providing students with hands-on production animal experience is not only beneficial for their individual growth and development, but it also serves a greater purpose in training the next generation of veterinary professionals to serve agriculture across the country,” Jason Ross, animal science department chair, said in a release. “By partnering with the College of Veterinary Medicine, we have created a program where students gain valuable skills and mentorship while preparing to contribute to the advancement of animal health and welfare.”

To remain in the program, students must earn a minimum grade point average of 3.4 while completing all prerequisite courses for admission into the College of Veterinary Medicine. Students must also complete a minimum of 300 hours of approved food animal experiences, as well as the undergraduate certificate. Successful completion of the program will result in admission to Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine (following review and approval by the CVM admissions committee), the release said.

More information on the application process and student eligibility is available on the PA-VEAP webpage .

Read More:

Why We Need to Reinvent Veterinary Care Now

Why We Need to Reinvent Veterinary Care Now

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 13:50:38 GMT

What does veterinary care look like in the 21st Century? That question drove hours of conversation during the 21st Century Animal Health Symposium at the University of Illinois in Urbana, Ill.

A group of more than 125 veterinarians, animal health industry leaders and academia gathered to discuss the future of the veterinary profession on Oct. 27.

“I think our challenge is to reinvent how we deliver veterinary care. And care is about people, too. It’s about the receiver of care and the giver of care,” explained Jim Lowe, DVM, associate dean of Online Programs and Extension at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine .

Labor productivity is often a measure of economic success, he said.

“Veterinary productivity (care per vet hour) has not advanced at the same rate as the demand for care, which has led to overworked, frustrated veterinarians,” Lowe said.

Until the productivity gap is solved, he believes the industry will continue to see challenges around employee dissatisfaction and burnout.

“We have young vets being paid a tremendous amount of money when they graduate and they are still not satisfied,” he said. “We have to change some fundamental things around this.”

The Paradox

Adoption of medical technologies has resulted in better patient care creating more work, leading to increased professional dissatisfaction.

“Technologies have improved quality of care, but they often increase the workload required to manage each case,” Lowe said. “It’s much better for the patient, but we are killing the person delivering the care.”

That’s why a group of thought leaders are coming together to develop the Center for Veterinary Innovation.

“Meat production systems must continue to improve quality of animal care consistent with consumer expectations,” said Bradley Wolter, president of Windy Hill Meadows, LLC, and conference attendee. “The veterinary profession must take a leadership role in that objective as experts on the system. A center that creates an environment for supporting the profession with the capability of today’s technology will catalyze that role into becoming impactful.”

Lowe hopes the center can increase access to veterinary care and promote the sustainability of the veterinary profession by increasing the amount of care a veterinarian can provide while reducing the effort to provide that care.

“We have to figure out how do we – in this commodity market – create value for the animal owners and veterinarians,” he said. “I’m terrified we won’t have veterinarians in certain parts of the country in the future because no one wants to move there. How can we provide better access to care?”

Here’s the Ask

The model Lowe proposes will bring university, profession and industry together to solve problems.

“We think the University of Illinois can be a resource for the state with integration of technology, technology improvement, primary development, communication and education, combined with profession leaders to help articulate needs and share how they use new technology and industry to provide ideas, solutions and commercialization,” Lowe said.

They plan to build a new facility within the Round Barn Complex on the U of I campus to foster collaboration, creative thinking, problem solving and education to house the Center for Veterinary Innovation.

“We are putting a facility back in a spot that really started because of Extension,” he added.

So, what is the ask? Lowe is looking for people to join their journey to reinvigorate land-grant roots to address 21st century problems to improve how the veterinary industry delivers care, improves the sustainability of the profession and ultimately, the wellbeing of the animals.

Micah Jansen, DVM, Managing, Pork Technical Services Veterinarian at Zoetis, attended the conference and said it challenged her to think more deeply about how the industry can challenge itself to embrace technology to drive change in veterinary care.

“It’s not only about improving the actual care being delivered,” Jansen said. “It’s looking out for those veterinarians delivering the care so that they are engaged in their role.”

Registration Opens for AABP Recent Graduate Conference

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 11:11:20 GMT

The 7th Annual American Association Bovine Practitioners Recent Graduate Conference, targeted for those veterinarians who have graduated between 2016 and 2023, as well as AABP-member credentialed veterinary technicians, will take place Feb. 9-10, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Registration for this in-person-only conference is now open at http://aabp.org/recent_grad/ (you must be an AABP member and log-in to register).

This year’s conference theme is “Keys to Unlocking Longevity”. “As a new graduate in bovine veterinary practice, you quickly learn the physical and mental demands of the job, time commitment, and financial returns you are bringing to your practice,” says 2024 Recent Graduate Conference Program Chair Dr. Nicholas Shen. “You occasionally see and hear about fellow peers wanting to leave practice for various other reasons, despite their love for being a bovine veterinarian. The 2024 Recent Graduate Conference planning committee has put together an excellent program to help provide a solution to keeping recent graduate bovine veterinarians in practice for years to come due to their success.”

Shen notes that this year’s program has an array of new dairy and beef presentations, topics for the mixed animal cattle practitioner, utilizing a veterinary technician, and numerous practice financial decision-making presentations for whether you are an associate or practice owner. “An additional goal is for attendees to gain knowledge and understanding and bring the tools back with them to apply immediately to their practice.” Keynote speaker Dr. Marissa Hake will address “Good Husbandry of the Cow Vet”.

The AABP Recent Graduate Conference provides practical continuing education for the recently graduated cattle veterinarian. “This conference is targeted to the AABP member recent graduate to continue to develop their skills to make them successful and retain them in bovine practice,” says AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich.

“In addition, the networking and collaborating with peers at a similar stage in their career is an unparalleled opportunity to achieve our goal of engaging these colleagues in AABP and retaining them in bovine practice. We also welcome our credentialed veterinary technicians to join us at this conference so they can learn skills that they can apply in their practice as well.”

This year’s conference offers 15.5 hours of CE in beef, dairy, clinical skills, practice management and small ruminant topics (see the full schedule at http://aabp.org/Recent_Grad/schedule.asp).

The conference also offers four preconference seminars available, three of them hands-on, on Feb. 8 (see them at https://aabp.org/Recent_Grad/preconference.asp). Preconference seminars include Practice Ownership! Starting, Buying & Buying Into; Milk Quality (held off-site at the University of Tennessee dairy farm); Bull Breeding Soundness Exams (held off-site at the University of Tennessee Veterinary School beef farm); and Thinking Through Lameness Protocols (held off-site at the University of Tennessee Veterinary School). Exhibitors will also be present at the conference to showcase products and services.

The conference is going to be held in Knoxville again due to its great location and excellent facilities at the University of Tennessee for preconference seminars, Shen says. “The downtown convention center offers a fun place to explore and catch up with fellow classmates, friends in our profession, and the opportunity to make new ones.”

Conference attendance is limited to current AABP members, so make sure your dues are current when you register. Visit http://aabp.org/Recent_Grad/default.asp to see an overview, schedule and register for the conference – you must be logged onto the website to register.

JEV: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 20:50:13 GMT

Although the likelihood of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) being found in the U.S. is low, it’s a virus that is being taken seriously by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Michael Neafsey, One Health Coordinator for APHIS, said during a symposium last fall hosted by the Center for the Ecology of Infectious Disease at the University of Georgia and sponsored in part by the Swine Health Information Center.

Not only could JEV pose risks to animals, but it also poses substantial human health concerns along with significant economic impacts. Similar to West Nile virus, eradication of JEV would be difficult, if not impossible, if it becomes established.

The most likely mechanism for JEV introduction and establishment of infection would be through infected mosquitoes, he added. One of his biggest concerns is delayed recognition of infection in livestock due to the disease’s non-specific presentation.

What’s the Risk in the U.S.?

Natalia Cernicchiaro of Kansas State University discussed a study on the risk of introduction of JEV in the continental U.S. Because the U.S. has competent vectors and hosts, shares similar climate and environmental conditions with countries where JEV is epidemic, and has increased travel and trade with JEV-affected regions, she believes these characteristics, along with the lack of active JEV surveillance, make this region at risk to a JEV incursion.

Her risk assessment addressed:
• Probability of entry
• Probability of transmission
• Probability of establishment
• Extent of spread
• Likelihood of persistence
• Impact of disease

Based on the assessment, aircraft and cargo ships were the most likely pathways of JEV introduction via infected adult mosquitoes. The probability of introduction of JEV through infected adult mosquitoes via aircrafts was deemed very high whereas the probability of entry via ships/containers was considered of low to moderate risk. Although the probability of transmission was deemed of variable risk, the probability of JEV establishment in the U.S. is considered negligible. This is due to low availability of amplifying hosts (pigs) and the limited contact rates between infected mosquitoes and hosts in airports and seaports, areas at high risk of introduction of infected vectors.

Cernicchiaro and her team are reassessing pathways and emphasized the need to reconsider vector-free transmission, which has been suggested due to some experimental circumstances. Their work now includes study of the role of domestic and feral pigs and redefining regions of introduction, adding ecosystems and information on distribution and density of commercial and feral pig populations. Her team’s work will be ongoing due to changing conditions including population growth, urbanization, increased animal movement, climate effects and habitat modification. Changes in model assumptions will likely lead to changes in introduction probability, she explained.

What if the U.S. Has a JEV Outbreak?

If suspected, JEV diagnosis will come from virus isolation and molecular tools, Neafsey said. This process will include sequencing for detection and differentiation of flaviviruses. The National Animal Health Laboratory Network, along with the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, and Plum Island, N.Y., will be instrumental in detection of JEV.

Existing USDA response frameworks include FAD preparedness which Neafsey said have been used to successfully detect, control and contain diseases for many years. FAD response plans provide disease specific information and response strategies. USDA’s JEV disease response strategy is under review and has been removed from the agency’s website as it was outdated, he added.

USDA’s response goals include to detect, control and contain FAD outbreaks as quickly as possible, and eradicate the FAD using strategies that stabilize animal agriculture, the food supply, the economy and protect public health and the environment. They also want to provide science and risk-based approaches and systems to facilitate continuity of business for noninfected animals and noncontaminated animal products.

How Do We Move Forward?

“Improving communication at local and regional levels, whether talking to neighbors, local associations or animal health officials, develop a network and lean on that network,” Neafsey said. “Share what is working and what is not. Don’t sit in a vacuum while your neighbor or someone in your network may be experiencing the same thing.”

Vigilance is essential, says Paul Sundberg, executive director of the Swine Health Information Center.

“The most important message for producers is don’t make assumptions and wait until something happens,” Sundberg says.

Learn more about JEV here:

JEV in Australia: A Warning Shot that the U.S. Could Be Next?

Urgency is Key to Fighting Japanese Encephalitis Virus

Don’t Get Fooled by Figures (Part I)

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:55:34 GMT

This article was written by Matthew J. Kuhn, DVM, PhD.

When was the last day you went without seeing a graph? On the news, evaluating farm data, reading a marketing pitch – exposure to graphical data subliminally influences our decisions on a daily basis. Yet, how often do you take the time to think critically and ask what a graph is actually saying? With abundant supplements, pharmaceuticals, and other products marketed to producers and veterinarians daily, it is crucial to quickly identify the good data from the bad.

Why Graphs Can Be Misleading
Graphs created to intentionally mislead are uncommon. Instead, misleading graphs typically result from scientists whose pride in their work clouds following proper graph etiquette or from creative designers seeking to increase the visual appeal of their work. As such, these red flags are not necessarily indicators of poor data quality but can key a reader in to focus more carefully on what the data is or is not saying; encourage the reader to ask more questions of the data source; or seek out second opinions.

The red flags discussed in depth below include:
• 3-D Graphs
• Y-axis (vertical axis) manipulation
• Missing error bars, statistics, axes labels, or units
• Control group absence
• Lack of practical relevance

(Farm Journal)

Red Flags
Completely fictional yet identical data underlies graphs A and B. A difference in their dimension strikes most readers first, appreciating the 2-D graph A as less visually appealing than the 3-D graph B. Marketing teams and creative designers look to 3-D graphs as a means to increase the attractiveness of their work. Adding depth at an angle, however, distorts the perception of relative differences, which is apparent when comparing the difference in height between the Low and Medium groups.

Manipulation of the Y-axis further contributes to the stark difference in interpretations of graphs A and B. Depending on how an axis is altered, data can be powerfully framed to either overstate or understate differences. In graph A, a proper Y-axis for this data begins at zero and extend to just above the greatest value. Graph B uses a truncated Y-axis, starting well above zero and provides an example of Y-axis manipulation, namely, exaggeration of the differences between all three bars.

The omission of error bars in graph B is an additional fault in presentation. In graph A, the error bars clearly overlap between the Low and Medium groups showing that although the average values differ there is a wide overlap in the production of individual cows between these groups. This overlap leaves little statistical chance that Medium and Low groups truly differ, a fact that is unapparent in graph B.

Using error bars to make statistical judgements, however, is bound by caveats. Without knowing what error bars represent — standard error (smallest error bars), standard deviation (somewhat larger error bars), or minimum/maximum values (largest error bars) — comparing error bars offers a statistical guess rather than a certainty. Additionally, certain statistical tests will produce significant differences even when error bars overlap, such as when animals are matched prior to comparison. Because of this, unless details on statistical analysis are available, error bars should help inform decision-making but are not a definitive statistical resource.

Whenever a control group is excluded, readers should always ask themselves if that omission aligns with the study design. The graphical juxtaposition between graphs A and B again underscores the importance of including a control group. Graph A shows that regardless of treatment, this farm had an increase in 305 day milk and that likely there was no statistical increase over control by the Low or Medium groups. If readers had only seen graph B, they may have believed even the Low group benefited from this product.

A final question to ask of all data is “do the differences I see actually matter?” Key in on Y-axis labels to inform your answer. The ambiguity of graph B, both in the data being shown and units, prevents a reader from answering this question. Graph A, however, indicates that the High group gains a 500 lb increase in 305 day milk. While this difference may be statistically significant, it may not be an impressive or relevant increase in production to a producer.

Good research is defendable and will stand up to critique. Taking a respectfully distrustful eye to presented data will go a long way to making more informed and successful decisions for yourself and your clients.

Grade Your Management IQ

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 15:00:30 GMT

Your veterinary business can be moving forward, but still falling behind.

“Management is more than just being smart and using your head,” says Danny Klinefelter, Texas A&M University professor emeritus. “Strategic management is about anticipating, adapting to, driving and capitalizing on change.”

Grade yourself in the following areas (i.e. with an A, B or C), Klinefelter suggests. In areas where you are deficient, set concrete goals to improve.

Are you strategic? How do you handle change? _______

Do you provide effective leadership? Do you communicate a clear vision of where you want the business to go? _______

Do you have a strong culture that attracts top talent? What is your turnover rate? _______

Do you use sound financial management practices? Do you understand your key financial metrics? _______

Do you have a marketing plan, and do you follow it? _______

Do you control costs, including family living? Are assets used effectively and efficiently? _______

How do you stack up against the competition? _______

Do you set business priorities and follow through on them? _______

Do you have a succession plan? Do you also have development and transition plans? _______

Do you see and understand the big picture? Do you have a strategy for major economic or policy changes? _______

Do you have policies and procedures in place? (personnel and safety policies, standard operating procedures, etc.) _______

Do you hold regular meetings to address concerns, business performance and expectations? Is that information shared with all vested parties? _______

Are you a member of a peer advisory group? _______

Are you getting better before you get bigger? _______

Give Your Feet The Support They Need

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 12:57:28 GMT

This article was developed by Scott Uhlenhake, Physical Therapist & Orthopedic Specialist. You can reach him at sjuhlenhake@icloud.com

Whether at home, in the clinic or out on the farm, most of us spend a lot of time on our feet every day. Proper arch position, whether obtained through natural body structure or maintained by appropriate footwear, is important for the good lower extremity alignment necessary to minimize lower body stress and fatigue and decrease the risk of injury.

To assess your arches, you must be in a standing position with your shoes and socks off. There is a wide range of assessment techniques from simple observation to the very common “wet test” that is advocated by many shoe manufacturers, as well as the navicular drop measurement, which is performed by some physical therapists.

(Farm Journal)

Pes planus (flat feet) is a very common problem. It can contribute to a wide range of issues from the foot to the lower back. The most common problem is plantar fasciitis. If you have pes planus, a very simple preventative measure is the purchase of proper footwear and/or inserts.

Stability tennis shoes provide the additional support needed for someone with pes planus to maintain a neutral arch position and better lower extremity alignment during standing and walking. Increased support can also be achieved by using custom or over-the-counter inserts.

You can usually avoid custom inserts unless you have other problems such as a foot deformity or diabetes. Over-the-counter inserts will typically cost between $35 and $75 but should be selected carefully because many fail to provide adequate support.

To evaluate inserts, place one on a hard surface and push down on the arch area with the heel of your hand. Notice how much resistance there is to flattening the arch. Then, consider how it would support your body weight over the course of a day. Patients commonly ask about the foot assessment kiosks and related inserts available in large retail stores. In my opinion, these inserts are not adequate for someone with pes planus.

For people with pes planus, it is very common to need the additional support of an insert inside of a boot used for work due to the lack of support contained in the structure of the boot. I also often recommend people with pes planus avoid or minimize the use of traditional sandals.

(Farm Journal)

Pes cavus (high arches) is much less common and less likely to cause problems. If you have pes cavus, your anatomy is providing adequate support so neutral shoes, which are typically lighter and flexible, are more popular. If you have high arches, inserts often are not necessary but may provide additional cushioning.

A quality shoe store, often associated with running, typically has knowledgeable staff that can provide arch evaluations and make recommendations for shoes and inserts. If you wear boots and do need inserts, bring them with you so the store associate can helpyou pick out the best type and size.

Legal Disclaimer: The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for individual professional medical advice. Relying on the information provided is done at your own risk.

HSAs Offer Health Care, Retirement Savings

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 15:39:17 GMT

Health insurance coverage and healthcare costs are among the greatest challenges for self-employed Americans, including farmers.

One avenue that provides for cost containment combined with the opportunity to save for the future is the Health Savings Account (HSA). “More people are becoming aware of HSAs and using them as a strategic approach to managing their healthcare,” said Nathan Link, Employee Benefits and Individual Health Specialist for PDCM Insurance, Waterloo, Iowa.

To qualify for an HSA, you need to carry a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). According to the IRS website , that’s a health insurance plan with a deductible of no less than $1,400 per person or $2,800 per family, with a maximum annual deductible and other out-of-pocket expenses (like co-pays) of $7,000 per person and $14,000 per family.

“HDHPs often have lower monthly premiums than traditional health insurance plans,” said Link. “Clients can save the difference into their own HSA account and use those funds to pay out-of-pocket expenses as needed. With traditional plans, you pay a higher cost whether you use the services or not. An HSA allows you to keep that money if you don’t have to use it.”

As a savings tool, HSAs offer a triple tax advantage*, in that:

Money deposited into an HSA is not taxed.
Account balances are allowed to grow tax-free; and
Funds can be withdrawn tax-free, provided they are used to pay for Qualified medical expenses , including those not covered by health insurance, like vision and dental care.

While your HDHP will be accessed through a private agent or the Healthcare.gov marketplace, you will have to open your HSA account separately through a financial institution. Many banks and credit unions offer them, and most provide options to invest your balance in stocks or mutual funds for larger growth opportunities.

Employers of a spouse working off the farm also may offer an HDHP/HSA package, in which case they likely will have the HSA structure already set up for the company’s employees.

HSAs are individual accounts. If you are married, the account is in one spouse’s name, but the fund can pay for expenses for your spouse and children covered on your health insurance policy. The annual contribution limit applies to the entire couple or family. In 2021, it is $3,600 per individual or $7,200 per family. That limit includes contributions that may be made by an employer.

If you will be 55 or older by the end of the tax year, you can contribute another $1,000 annually as a “catch up” contribution. If your spouse also is 55 or older, he or she can open a separate HSA and contribute another $1,000 to that account, according to OPTUMbank .

When you start using Medicare – typically around age 65 – you can no longer contribute to an HSA. But at this point you can continue to utilize the funds tax-free for medical expenses and/or your Medicare Part B or Part D premiums. You also have the option of using the money for any other purpose you please after 65. But those funds will be taxed as regular income, just like a traditional IRA.

“Before age 65, it’s never a great idea to use your HSA as an emergency fund for non-medical expenses,” advised Link. “You’ll be assessed a 20% penalty, plus the withdrawals will be taxed as income at your regular rate.”

You also cannot use your HSA funds to pay health insurance premiums before age 65. You can, however, tap them tax-free to pay premiums for long-term care insurance.

“If you can cash-flow your medical expenses and leave your HSA untouched, it will be a tremendous retirement savings vehicle thanks to its many tax-advantage features,” shared Link. “But even if you can’t, there is great peace of mind knowing that you have the funds set aside to cover medical expenses if you need them, and that you can maintain control of that money if you don’t.”

*There are exceptions to these exemptions in a few states. New Jersey and California assess tax on both your HSA contributions and they earnings they generate. Tennessee and New Hampshire tax earnings only.

54 Veterinary Students Awarded Financial Scholarships

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:55:22 GMT

Veterinary school is not only tough to get into, it’s tough to finance. But 54 veterinary students just received a monetary boost from $5,000 scholarships each has received, thanks to a partnership between Merck Animal Health and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF). The recipients, from around the globe, are either second- or third-year students and are planning a career in companion animal or large animal medicine.

“Whether they’re helping to keep pets healthy or aid in ensuring a safe, high-quality protein supply, veterinarians play a critical role not only within the animal health industry, but also within society,” said Scott Bormann, senior vice president, North America, Merck Animal Health, in a prepared statement.

The scholarships will provide financial assistance to students to support their educational and professional goals and opportunities, according to Karen Davis, chair, AVMF board of advisors.

Award recipients from U.S. and international veterinary schools accredited through the AVMA were selected based on academic excellence, financial need, leadership and area of interest within the profession.

The scholarship recipients are:
o Arifa Akter, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
o Farjana Akter, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
o Shahana Akter, Bangladesh Agricultural University
o Abdullah Al Sadik, Bangladesh Agricultural University
o Bibi Amena, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
o Storm Aschebrock, Louisiana State University
o Madison Bartosh, Texas A&M University
o Andrea Basque, University of Pennsylvania
o McKenzie Beals Weber, Iowa State University
o Melanie Bizzarro, The Ohio State University
o Brock Chappell, University of Calgary
o Yue Chen, Michigan State University
o Brittany Coursen, University of Tennessee
o Paola Cruz Ramos, North Carolina State University
o Stephanie Dampney, The Ohio State University
o Peter Ellis, University of California - Davis
o Emily Eppler, Kansas State University
o Naeem Ahammed Ibrahim Fahim, Bangladesh Agricultural University
o Umor Faruk, Bangladesh Agricultural University
o Alexandra Fitton, North Carolina State University
o Benjamin Flakoll, Cornell University
o Chelsea Folmar, Texas A&M University
o Clint Gasser, The Ohio State University
o Naomi Guzman, University of Illinois
o Abdul Hakim, Bangladesh Agricultural University
o Bailey Harmon, Colorado State University
o Nahid Hasan, Bangladesh Agricultural University
o Riyadul Hasan, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
o Tatiana Henry, Tufts University
o Madeline Hileman, University of Illinois
o Shahadat Hossain, Bangladesh Agricultural University
o Sara Jastrebski, University of Pennsylvania
o Michael Jimmerson, Texas A&M University
o Humaun Kaber, Bangladesh Agricultural University
o Greena Kim, University of Georgia
o Kendall Leet-Otley, Tufts University
o Dena Letot, Michigan State University
o Hidayah Martinez-Jaka, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
o Razyeeh Mazaheri, University of Illinois
o Rachel McKay, University of California - Davis
o Caitlyn Mullins, North Carolina State University
o Shabikun Nahar, Bangladesh Agricultural University
o Macon Overcast, The Ohio State University
o Annabella Palopoli, Tufts University
o Emily Rawlings, University of California - Davis
o Haley Ream, University of Illinois
o Sirajul Islam Sagar, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
o Danielle Scott, Colorado State University
o Maegha Singh, University of California - Davis
o Lindsay Smith, Tufts University
o Tetyana Sofiychuk, Purdue University
o Jacqueline Tung, Western University - California
o May Wang, St. George’s University
o Elisabeth Wise, North Carolina State University

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After 100-Year Drought, Texas Breaks Ground on New Vet School

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:51:39 GMT

Weston Cleveland isn’t a complacent college student on some journey to fulfill a dream. After a couple years into his college stint, he realized his major wasn’t a good fit.

“I was majoring in Animal Science with an emphasis in business, which is a lot of economics classes, there’s a lot of math involved in that,” said Cleveland, who is a senior at Texas Tech, majoring in Animal Science with an emphasis in pre-vet. “It’s not that I’m not good at math, I just don’t enjoy it.”

Cleveland is from East Texas, but ventured to the West Texas to major in animal science. He loved the animal sciences portion, just not the business emphasis, and decided to make a switch.

“I’ve been working at Texas Animal Feeders in South Texas for the past seven years or so, and just being able to sit on horseback everyday riding pins, checking calves, checking cattle, things like that, I enjoyed it,” he said.

Cleveland switched his emphasis to pre-vet, now cramming four years of coursework into two. It’s a switch that’s not uncommon today, as the interest in pre-vet is gaining momentum at Texas Tech.

“The number of pre-veterinary students in the building have more than doubled in the last four years,” said Guy Loneragan, dean of School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University.

That interest sparked a major change, with Texas Tech University accomplishing a feat that was first brought forth 50 years ago. Texas Tech University broke ground on a new School of Veterinary Medicine on Sept. 19 , the first time Texas has broken ground on a new vet school in a century.

“It’s been in the works for five decades,” said Loneragan. “It’s a huge honor, but it’s also an awesome responsibility.”

That responsibility is growing, as Loneragan will be the dean of Texas Tech’s first School of Veterinary Medicine.

“We have a growing demand for veterinarians,” he said. “We have over employment of veterinarians in Texas, and so we’re bringing in the vast majority of our workforce every year to the state. And we need to correct that.”

Loneragan says Texas licenses 500 to 550 veterinarians every year in the state, and the current sole vet school, Texas A&M, only produces 130 graduates each year.

Loneragan says that means the current sole program in the state only meets 25% of the current demand. It’s not just the over-employment situation; there are also more students who aspire to be veterinarians. One of those students is Cleveland.

“Right now, the plan is to apply to Texas A&M and then, for peace of mind, I’m going to apply it to Colorado State, Oklahoma State and University of Florida.”

Cleveland says the issue for him is the cost of out-of-state tuition.

Today, a Texas resident who goes into Texas A&M’s School of Veterinary Medicine will pay $25,000 a year. If a student goes out of state, the cost more than doubles.

The financial strain, along with the growing need for rural veterinarians in Texas, helped Texas Tech build its case to the State Legislature.

“We put our case forward, and we demonstrated the need,” said Loneragan. “The legislature saw that and appropriated the startup funds that we requested, they provided some language that directed us to do what we need to do to start the program. So, we have firmly moved from planning and development into implementation.”

The implementation started this week, as Texas Tech broke ground on the new School of Veterinary Medicine, which will call Amarillo, TX home.

“We are working very hard to welcome the first class in the fall of 2021,” said Loneragan.

A historic moment that can’t come soon enough for impassioned future veterinarians, like Cleveland.

“The second Texas Tech’s application opens, I think I’m going to send it within the first 30 minutes,” said Cleveland.

Cleveland wants to find work in a rural area, which is an area Texas Tech plans to cater its curriculum and training.

“It really is a liberating to understand and know that we can have a much narrower focus being the second program in the state, and our focus is small agricultural and regional communities all across Texas,” said Loneragan.

Having the freedom to adjust its curriculum will allow Texas Tech to rethink the students and programs it attracts.

“The curriculum that we’re designing for the students, and all of the stakeholders that we’re engaging, is a more narrowly focused program from start to finish,” he said.

For Cleveland, taking part in such a historic moment in Texas would be monumental.

“It’d be absolutely groundbreaking to be the very first class,” he said. “We’ve been anticipating this Vet School, we’ve needed this school, and just to know how much change it’s going to bring to west Texas and rural communities, and how much is going to help farmers and ranchers all over, is amazing.”

The new venture could open doors to address a growing need for more veterinarians in the rural landscape across the Lone-Star state.

“I think you can’t even put into words how symbolic it’s going to be,” said Cleveland. “To see how much good it’s going to do. I think that’s priceless. You can’t label it. You can’t kind of anticipate how much success is going to come from it.”

Webinar to Explore VFD Audit Process

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:11:46 GMT

With implementation of the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) changes now over a year underway, the FDA inspection process is expected to happen more frequently in the coming months.

GlobalVetLINK (GVL®) is hosting VFD Audit Process Q&A , a free webinar to help the industry better understand the VFD inspection process, on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. (CDT).

The VFD Audit webinar will address the inspection process, documentation concerns, challenges with implementation, and the FDA’s responses to questions from the industry. The webinar outline and expert presenters include:

Veterinarian VFD Audit Experience – Peter Schneider, DVM, Innovative Agriculture Solutions, LLC

VFD Implementation Challenges – Mike Apley, DVM, PhD, Kansas State University

Feed Distributor VFD Audit Perspective – Matt Frederking, Mid America Pet Food, LLC

FDA Responses and Live Q&A – Tyler Holck, DVM, MS, MBA, Feed His People LLC

If you are unable to attend the webinar on May 9th, it will be recorded and made available to view online. Complete the registration process to ensure that you have access to watch the recording. Register for the webinar online

Webinar to Explore VFD Audit Process

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 05:09:31 GMT