U.S. Senator Wayne Allard (R-Colorado) on Wednesday introduced S. 914, the Veterinary Workforce Expansion Act of 2005 (VWEA). The legislation would establish a grant program to expand capacity in veterinary medical schools, and increase the number of veterinarians working in public health practice and biomedical research. The AASV Board of Directors recently approved efforts to support passage of this legislation.
Monthly Archives: April 2005
Have you searched the AASV website lately?
If you’re performing a search of the AASV website, recent changes to the online content may make it appear that your password isn’t working when you try to access the articles that appear in the search results listing. Chances are your password IS functioning properly, but you may find you are denied access to a number of articles appearing in your initial search results. What’s happening? Read on…
People on the Move: Anna Johnson, PhD
Animal behavior specialist Dr. Anna Johnson has joined the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University. As an assistant professor, Dr. Johnson will be involved with research, teaching and extension, with a focus on farm animal behavior and welfare. She was formerly the director of animal welfare for the National Pork Board, where she was instrumental in the development of the Swine Welfare Assurance Program (SWAP). Updated contact information for Dr. Johnson is available at http://www.aasv.org/members/only/directory.php. Are you on the move? If so, let us know at aasv@aasv.org.
National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues seeks data from large animal practitioners
The National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) is a joint effort of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, with a mission to improve the economic base of the veterinary profession, ensuring that the delivery of veterinary care and service meets the needs of society. In an effort to assist veterinarians in building a strong economic base for their practices, the NCVEI has developed an online benchmarking program that is available at no charge to members of the AVMA and AAHA. To date we have released benchmarking tools for companion animal and equine veterinarians. There are currently nearly 10,000 practices utilizing these free tools. The NCVEI is preparing to launch a similar program for large animal practitioners. Before the tools can be released, volunteers are needed to enter seed data in the models. Beginning on April 18, 2005 the NCVEI will be collecting seed data in preparation for the release of the benchmarking tools for large animal and mixed practices. If you would like to help, please follow the instructions below.
Swine Externship Grants available to senior veterinary students
For the fourth consecutive year, the AASV Foundation is providing $200 grants ($US) to senior veterinary students who participate in a swine externship. To qualify for the grant, students must complete an externship of at least 2 weeks’ duration in a swine practice or in a mixed practice with a considerable swine component. Both the student and at least one member of the hosting practice must be members of the AASV. Applications are now available for students who will be seniors and have arranged externships during the 2005-2006 school year.
Call for papers: AASV 2006 Student Seminar and Veterinary Student Scholarships
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians announces an opportunity for up to 15 veterinary students to make a scientific presentation during the Student Seminar and compete for $25,000 in scholarships at the AASV Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 5, 2006 in Kansas City, Missouri. Complete information may be found at http://www.aasv.org/annmtg/2006/studentseminar.htm.
People on the Move: Dr. Ron White
Dr. Ron White has accepted a position with Iowa Select Farms as Director of Health Assurance and Biosecurity, effective April 18. He was formerly employed by Fort Dodge Animal Health. Updated contact information for Dr. White is available at http://www.aasv.org/members/only/directory.php. Are you on the move? If so, let us know at aasv@aasv.org.
Factors Affecting Injury Levels and Behaviour of Sows Regrouped into an Electronic Sow Feeder System
Megan Strawford, Yuzhi Li and Harold Gonyou are research scientists at the Prairie Swine Center. One of the areas of interest of the group is to examine the effects of stress on sows in loose housing. When sows are regrouped the stress associated with mixing sows may alter the behaviour of the sows. The altered behaviour may result in a decreased farrowing rate. One way to measure stress in an indirect way is to observe any behavioural changes that occur in the sows after regrouping.
Water intake and wastage at nipple drinkers
The objective of this study was to evaluate water intake and water wastage by grower and finisher pigs at water nipples. Six pens of pigs (8 pigs per pen) were used in this study. Feed intake, water intake, and water wastage were measured in grower pigs (53 +/-5 kg) and finisher pigs 72 +/-6 kg). Water flow rate was set at 700 ml/minute for these studies. In addition, drinking speed and water wastage at varying flow rates (651, 1003, 1226, and 2080 ml/min) was assessed in 4 pigs/pen following 4 hour period without water. Feed was provides on an ad libitum basis and in pelleted form to all pigs. Room temperature was maintained between 20-25 degrees Celsius. Nipple drinkers were adjusted to a height of 5 cm higher than shoulder height of the smallest pig in the pen.
Clostridium difficile linked with postparturient sow losses in Eastern Europe
NOTE: Enrofloxacin is illegal for use in swine in the United States. This study was performed in Europe.