The American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation is pleased to offer the Hogg Scholarship, established to honor the memory of longtime AASV member and swine industry leader Dr. Alex Hogg. Applications for the $10,000 scholarship will be accepted until February 1, 2013, and the scholarship recipient will be announced on March 3 during the Foundation Luncheon at the AASV 2013 Annual Meeting in San Diego.
Monthly Archives: January 2013
Pay it Forward: Interview a Few Vet Students in San Diego
AASV members, would you like to meet the “up and coming” generation of swine veterinarians? We have “up and coming” swine veterinarians who would like to meet you! Please consider participating in the opportunity to “speed interview” 3rd- and 4th-year veterinary students at the AASV Annual Meeting in San Diego! The AASV Student Recruitment Committee is once again coordinating this efficient networking activity for veterinarians and veterinary students. This activity is reserved for 3rd- and 4th-year veterinary students and is essentially a series of mock interviews for students to practice their interviewing skills. Please note that your company/practice does not have to be hiring in order for you to participate (although this is the perfect opportunity to screen potential candidates if you are looking for an intern or associate)! The interviews will take place Sunday, March 3, from 5:30-7:00 PM at the conference hotel. If you are interested in participating, please contact Joshua Duff (jwduff@ncsu.edu) as soon as possible.
Position Announcement: Genetics Herd Veterinarian – Carlyle, Illinois
The Maschhoffs, one of the largest independent pork producers in the US, is seeking a Genetics Herd Veterinarian based in Carlyle, Illinois.
Animal Disease Traceability Becomes Law
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has published the final rule regulating the traceability standards for livestock moving interstate. Swine veterinarians and producers have long supported efforts to enhance the ability of state and federal animal health officials to identify premises housing livestock and trace animal movements. These objectives are part of routine production in the swine industry and are integral to efficient disease surveillance and control.
Sorting by Parity to Reduce Aggression Toward First-Parity Sows in Group-Gestation Housing Systems
Young sows are subordinate and vulnerable in group-housing systems because they usually lose most fights and suffer more injuries than mature sows at mixing. This study was conducted to evaluate effects of sorting by parity on reducing aggression and associated stress with the aim to improve welfare and performance of first-parity sows in a group-housed system. Sows and gilts (n = 180) from 6 breeding groups were used. Within each group, 2 groups of 15 females were mixed in each of 2 treatment pens after weaning and remained there throughout the entire gestation period. The control pen consisted of 11 multiparous and 4 first-parity sows, and the treatment pen consisted of 11 gilts and 4 first-parity sows. Before mixing and at the end of the gestation period, sows and gilts were weighed individually, assessed for BCS, and measured for backfat thickness. Injury scores were assessed before and 48 h after mixing and wean-to-mating intervals, farrowing rate, and litter performance at the subsequent farrowing were recorded for all females. Aggressive interactions involving first-parity sows were video recorded for 72 h immediately after mixing in each pen. Data were analyzed using the Glimmix procedure of SAS with a Poisson regression model for count data and a Gaussian model for continuous data. All females in treatment pens sustained fewer scratches (P = 0.01) after mixing than females in control pens. First-parity sows in treatment pens fought more frequently (P = 0.01), tended to fight for longer periods (P = 0.08), and won more fights (P = 0.04) of parallel pressing but had fewer injures (P = 0.03) after mixing, gained more BW (P = 0.01) during gestation, and had greater farrowing rates (P = 0.03) compared with first-parity sows in control pens. The results suggest that sorting by parity shielded first-parity sows from severe injuries caused by mixing-induced aggression so that their welfare and performance can be improved in group housing systems.
Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus Among Healthy Show Pigs, United States
Within 5 months after the earliest detection of human influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus, we found molecular and culture evidence of the virus in healthy US show pigs. The mixing of humans and pigs at swine shows possibly could further the geographic and cross-species spread of influenza A viruses.
PRRS Corner: Strategies to Keep PRRS at Bay
For more than 20 years, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome has taken a financial toll on individual producers as well as the pork industry as a whole. Today, it costs the industry $664 million a year to live with PRRS. Dr. Scott Dee presented insights into what we’ve learned and options for implementing a systematic program to your operation. Watch now.
US and Canada Sign Animal Disease Zoning Agreement
Canada and the United States intend to recognise each otherâs zoning measures during highly contagious foreign animal disease outbreaks, Canadian Agriculture Minister, Gerry Ritz has announced.
Consuming Pork Proteins at Breakfast Reduces the Feeling of Hunger before Lunch
This study investigated the effect of pork proteins consumed at breakfast on the subsequent feeling of hunger until the evening meal. The study involved 136 students at a local boarding school, which meant that the study could be carried out in the test persons’ normal environment. All students consumed the control breakfast on one of the two test days, and then half the students consumed the medium-protein breakfast and the other half the high-protein breakfast on the other test day, thereby acting as his/her own control. It was clearly shown that consuming a medium- or high-protein breakfast decreased the hunger ratings until lunch (4 h) compared with a control breakfast. A dose-response relationship related to the amount of proteins consumed at breakfast was observed, the high-protein breakfast leading to feelings of being less hungry compared with consuming a medium-protein breakfast. However, there was no direct link between hunger ratings and actual energy intake at lunch. The self-reported snacking during the whole day showed no clear relationship with the type of breakfast consumed.
“Wanted: Veterinarians to Participate in “”Vet Hunt”” at AASV Meeting in San Diego”
The AASV Annual Meeting provides a perfect opportunity for veterinary students to establish relationships with practicing veterinarians. To facilitate this networking, we will again offer the “Vet Hunt” contest at this year’s Annual Meeting. Students will be challenged to meet and visit with at least ten veterinarians during the first couple days of the meeting. Every student who visits with ten veterinarians from the list of volunteers will be entered into a prize drawing, sponsored by Merck Animal Health. This is where you – AASV member veterinarians – come in! Contact Joshua Duff, AASV Student Delegate, (jwduff@ncsu.edu) if you would like to participate in this fun activity. The students will appreciate it!