Yes, that includes the Pre-Conference Seminar papers, too! ALL of the papers presented at the AASV 2012 Annual Meeting are available for members to access in the Swine Information Library. You’ll need your member username and password, and your 2012 AASV membership dues must be paid. Contact the AASV office if you need assistance: aasv@aasv.org.
Monthly Archives: March 2012
Ruling Affects Feed-Grade Antimicrobials
A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate proceedings to withdraw approval for the use of tetracycline and penicillin in animal feed. This action is in response to a lawsuit filed by The Natural Resources Defense Council, Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Union of Concerned Scientists in the Manhattan federal court in May and stems from action taken in December by FDA to withdraw two 1977 notices proposing to withdraw certain uses of the antimicrobials in feed intended for food-producing animals.
Gastrointestinal Health and Function in Weaned Pigs: a Review of Feeding Strategies to Control Post-Weaning Diarrhoea without Using In-Feed Antimicrobial Compounds
For the last several decades, antimicrobial compounds have been used to promote piglet growth at weaning through the prevention of subclinical and clinical disease. There are, however, increasing concerns in relation to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains and the potential of these and associated resistance genes to impact on human health. As a consequence, European Union (EU) banned the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in swine and livestock production on 1 January 2006. Furthermore, minerals such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are not feasible alternatives/replacements to antibiotics because their excretion is a possible threat to the environment. Consequently, there is a need to develop feeding programs to serve as a means for controlling problems associated with the weaning transition without using antimicrobial compounds. This review, therefore, is focused on some of nutritional strategies that are known to improve structure and function of gastrointestinal tract and (or) promote post-weaning growth with special emphasis on probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, trace minerals and dietary protein source and level.
PRRS Corner: AASV PRRS Task Force Meets at the Annual Meeting
The AASV PRRS Task Force, chaired by Dr. Montse Torremorell, met during the AASV Annual meeting in Denver, Colo. Thirteen members were in attendance. They reviewed a white paper prepared by Dr. Jim Lowe outlining PRRS management practices aimed at controlling PRRS virus spread in the sow herd. The Task Force also reviewed an initiative spearheaded by Drs. Lowe and Bob Morrison to evaluate PRRS incidence and prevalence in the field. The group also received updates on the on-going PRRS virus elimination projects and diagnostic activities.
Short and Sweet: Tell Us What You Think
It’s as easy as one, two, three: Help improve the AASV Annual Meeting by completing a quick 3-question survey, located here. Tell us one thing you liked about the 2012 meeting in Denver, one aspect of the meeting that could be improved, and provide one topic suggestion for next year’s conference in San Diego. If you have more than one suggestion to offer, that’s fine, too! Your comments and topic proposals are welcome even if you didn’t attend the conference this year. The 2013 Program Planning Committee will be reviewing the comments and suggestions prior to planning the 2013 conference program.
Checkoff Research Looks at Top Reasons Producers Cull Sows
The U.S. sow herd experiences a greater than 50 percent replacement rate annually, an average parity at culling of 3.5 to 3.8 and fewer than 40 pigs produced during a sowâs lifetime, according to Ken Stalder, an Iowa State University animal science professor, who has reviewed available databases. The five most common reasons sows leave the herd are:
AASV Foundation holds successful 2012 auction
The AASV Foundation is grateful to everyone who participated in the 2012 live and silent fundraising auctions. Each bid makes a difference!
Position Announcement: Animal Well-Being Quality Assurance Manager
Join The HANOR Company as an Animal Well-Being Quality Assurance Manager. We are excited to announce this new position within our veterinary team.
People on the Move: Dr. Keith Kinsley
Dr. Keith Kinsley is now production manager for swine operations with Standard Nutrition Services – Livestock Management Company (LiManCo). His main focus is commercial sow and wean-to-finish herd production management and project development. He was formerly with Swine Health Center in Farwell, Minn. Updated contact information for Dr. Kinsley 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.
People on the Move: Dr. David Baum
David Baum, DVM, PhD, has joined Harrisvaccines as vice president of sales and technical services. His duties will include development and management of the Harrisvaccines sales team in addition to providing in-depth product information and technical expertise for veterinarians and their customers. Before joining Harrisvaccines, Baum served as vice president of health and technical services for Newsham Choice Genetics. Updated contact information for Dr. Baum is available at www.aasv.org/members/only/directory.php. Are you on the move? If so, let us know at aasv@aasv.org.