This is the first announcement for the 2011 International PRRS Symposium. The Symposium will be held Friday December 2, 2011 to Saturday December 3, 2011 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago. The symposium will precede the Conference of Researcher Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD).
Monthly Archives: July 2011
PQA Plus Advisor Recertification Training Offered Online
The University of Minnesota has developed an online training/testing for existing PQA Plus Advisors to complete their recertification. This training is only available to people currently certified as a PQA Plus Advisor. PQA Plus Advisors can go to http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vetmedce/events/PQAPLUS/index.htm to register for the course. Participants can select from the following dates: April 26, June 21, Aug. 16 and Oct. 25. The certification test is also administered online.
People on the Move: Dr. Robyn Fleck
Dr. Robyn Fleck recently began work at Pfizer Animal Health as an associate director in outcomes research. She will be working on field and clinical trials measuring the economic impact of Pfizerâs anti-infective line as well as husbandry education services. Dr. Fleck was previously employed by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health. Updated contact information for Dr. Fleck 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.
Codex Fails to Approve Feed Additive Ractopamine, NPPC Disappointed
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) expressed strong disappointment in a U.N. commissionâs failure to approve an international standard for a widely used feed additive.
Livestock-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Humans, Europe
To estimate the proportion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from humans that were sequence type (ST) 398, we surveyed 24 laboratories in 17 countries in Europe in 2007. Livestock-associated MRSA ST398 accounted for only a small proportion of MRSA isolates from humans; most were from the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and Austria.
NAHLN Funding in Jeopardy
The National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) may see a reduction in its FY2012 federal funding. The U.S. House of Representatives, Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee initially removed line item funding from within the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA). FY 2010 levels were more than $9 million, which included $4.4 million for the NAHLN under the Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative under NIFA. This funding is critical to support the NAHLN. Furthermore, FY2011 funding was cut an additional 39%.
Just Think Pink When it Comes to Swine ID
The Pork Industry remains on track for implementation of the Swine ID plan continuing the “Just Think Pink” campaign which encourages the use of official pink premises identification (PIN) tags for the identification of breeding stock entering harvest channels. Using official tags will enhance pre-harvest traceability of sows and boars, improve industry-supported disease surveillance programs and enhance the ability to detect and contain diseases more quickly which are all important criteria for U.S. pork producers to meet evolving consumer demands and remain competitive in international markets.
Extreme Heat Losses may be Eligible for Indemnity
The Farm Services Agency (FSA) has a Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) under the 2008 Farm Bill. LIP provides benefits to livestock producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather that occurred between Jan. 2008 and October 1, 2011. The program includes losses because of hurricanes, floods, blizzards, disease, wildfires, extreme heat, and extreme cold.
Heat Wave and Pigs
The National Weather Service is forecasting record heat throughout the Midwest and Southeast this summer. Extreme heat is a significant animal welfare and economic concern for swine producers. Given that pigs do not perspire, they rely on evaporative cooling to maintain body temperature. Evaporative cooling is a combination of moisture and air flow. The challenge to keep pigs cool may be exacerbated during transport in elevated temperatures and high humidity.
Leman Conference: Abstract Submission Date Extended to July 28
The organizers of the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference have extended the due date for submitting poster abstracts to Thursday, July 28. Abstract submission guidelines are available at http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vetmedce/events/adl/abstracts/home.html. The conference is scheduled for September 17-20, with the poster session taking place on Sunday, September 18. For more information about the Leman Swine Conference, see http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vetmedce/events/adl/.