Association News

AABP Annual Conference will 'Focus on Value'

Wed, 07 May 2025 14:32:28 GMT

The 58^th American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) Annual Conference will be held Sept. 11-13 in Omaha, Neb., at the Chi Health Center Convention Center. Registration is open at https://aabp.org/meeting/ . Early registration ends July 31.

“The theme for this conference is ‘Focus on Value’,” says AABP President-Elect and 2025 Program Chair Dr. Callie Willingham.

“Thinking about being in Omaha, our program committee naturally thought of Warren Buffet, the ‘Oracle of Omaha’, and one of his quotes being along the lines of ‘cost is what you pay for something, but value is what you get’. That quote really hit home with us,” Dr. Willingham says.

“As veterinarians and business owners, we often focus on the costs charged to our clients and don’t always take the time to focus on the value that those services provide to our clients and their animals. Veterinary practices also provide immense value to their team members and their communities,” she adds.

Willingham says AABP is very excited to welcome keynote speaker Natasha Nicholes, founder of We Sow We Grow, and an urban farmer on the South Side Chicago. “She’ll touch on the importance of agriculture and food production, in all forms, in supporting and uniting communities.”

“The core mission of AABP has always been to provide continuing education to our members which includes cattle veterinarians, credentialed veterinary technicians and students,” adds AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich. “Omaha has historically been a great location for our annual conference and we look forward to inviting our members back to learn, network and socialize.”

The conference’s preconference seminar schedule offers something for everyone. “I am among the many bovine veterinarians who have said ‘an AABP preconference seminar that I took earlier in my career changed my life’,” says AABP Vice President and Preconference Seminar Chair Dr. Mark Hilton. “What I learned I immediately put to practice and allowed me to offer a service I would have never been able to offer if not for that seminar.” See preconference seminar information at https://aabp.org/meeting/preconference.asp .

Scientific sessions at the conference will include cutting-edge information on beef and dairy medicine and health, practice management, clinical skills, preconference seminars, clinical forums, research summaries, practice tips, student sessions, mental health sessions and more (see the schedule at https://aabp.org/meeting/conference.asp ). The American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners will meet jointly with AABP. The conference will be submitted for RACE-approved continuing education.

Other events include the student Quiz Bowl, student case presentations, research summaries, awards and scholarships, the Job Fair, the 12^th 5K Stampede Fun Run, the Amstutz live and silent scholarship auctions and more. Members and affiliated partners can donate and/or browse auction items at https://aabp.org/auction/ .

This will be the 12^th year for the 5K Stampede Fun Run sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, with proceeds benefitting the Amstutz Scholarship Fund. Conference attendees can sign up for the 5K when they register for the conference.

Family-friendly, the conference also offers a childcare/family room and complimentary registration for childcare givers.

Find all conference information at https://aabp.org under the Continuing Education tab.

#AABP2025

AABP is a membership-based, not-for-profit organization serving cattle veterinary medicine professionals across the United States, Canada and other countries. Visit https://aabp.org and like us on Facebook.

The Bright Future of the U.S. Dairy Industry: Innovations and Opportunities

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 22:44:19 GMT

The U.S. dairy industry is witnessing a significant upswing, showcasing its potential for growth and innovation. Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), shared insights at the 2025 California Dairy Sustainability Conference held in Visalia, Calif. His address highlighted the resurgence of animal fats in the diet and the promising future of dairy products, including fluid milk.

Dairy’s Time to Shine
Doud emphasized the renewed interest in animal fats and noted that it’s now dairy’s moment to take the spotlight. With $8.5 billion invested in processing pipelines and new investments, such as Chobani’s recent $500 million expansion in its Twin Falls yogurt facility, the dairy industry is capturing attention. Doud challenged the audience by asking, “Where else in agriculture in the world, name another commodity in another country that has this kind of investment that’s going on in the dairy industry in the United States today?” Answering his question, he confidently stated, “The answer is nowhere.”

Emerging Opportunities and Investments
The massive $8.5 billion is spread across 17 facilities throughout the U.S., fueling the industry’s expansion. Doud pointed out the potential for growth in protein demand not just domestically but also globally. The Midwest stands as a primary area for expanding animal protein crush. Highlighting milestones, he mentioned Hilmar’s new cheese-producing facility in Dodge City, Kan.

“The Midwest, these are the only places on Earth that we can expand in terms of animal protein crush today,” Doud says. “Draw a circle with a 300-mile radius around Amarillo, Texas. Dodge City, Kan., last week, we just had the ribbon cutting — an enormous cheese producing facility.”

U.S. Dairy Exports on the Rise
The export value of U.S. dairy products has seen substantial growth year over year (YOY), rising 20% to an impressive $714 million — a January record. The relationship with Mexico as the top U.S. cheese customer continues to strengthen, although January exports recorded a modest 1% increase.

“The cheese exports to Mexico,” Doud enthusiastically remarked. “This is where it’s at, folks. This is why I’m so excited about this industry.”

China’s post-COVID-19 recovery shows a slower tempo, with Doud pointing out that just 300 million of China’s 1.4 billion people are driving dairy demand. He noted some challenges, such as China’s low semen import rates and the impact of high U.S. interest rates on global competition, but remained hopeful that changes in these areas could present future opportunities.

“That’s a leading indicator to say things are not going to go as well in China, no production going forward, maybe there is going to be some opportunity thereafter,” he says, noting that when you have high interest rates in the U.S. that makes the dollar strong, it makes it difficult to compete globally. “Our exports have been a little softer, but we’re still exporting about 16% of our production.”

Trade Imbalances and a Shift in Production
Another critical point Doud highlighted was the trade imbalance between the U.S. and the European Union (EU). Currently, the U.S. imports $3 billion in dairy products from the EU while exporting just $167 million. This imbalance underlines a broader narrative that sees U.S. dairy exports to non-traditional markets, like Guatemala, outpacing exports to the EU.

“It is an outrageous imbalance and trade,” he says. “You realize that we actually export 15 times more cheese to Guatemala than we do the European Union.”

Interestingly, while milk production appears stagnant, the shift in focus to producing more solids is changing the landscape of the industry.

“We have changed this industry,” Doud stated. “This is why we make more cheese because we’ve got more solids.”

The U.S. dairy industry, driven by substantial investments and shifting consumer preferences, is poised for significant growth in the coming years. As the dairy industry adapts to new challenges and opportunities, stakeholders and consumers alike can look forward to an era where dairy continues to thrive and innovate on a global scale.

Your Next Read:
Water Woes, Labor Limitations and Regulatory Restrictions Put California’s Dairy Industry At A Crossroads

Industry Shifts: What Cattle Producers See Coming In the Next 5 Years

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 16:03:11 GMT

Editor’s Note: This article is part of the Drovers 2024 State of the Beef Industry report, which includes an exclusive survey of cattle producers and their thoughts on numerous topics of importance to the future of their operations. To download the full report, click here .

In 2023, the State of the Industry Report asked about five aspects related to consumer pressure and expectations for change in the future: environmental impact, animal welfare, sustainable practices and desire of high-quality beef. In every instance, a strong majority of producers either agreed or strongly agreed each of those items will be increasingly important in the years to come. The numbers in 2024 line up almost exactly with 2023.

The survey report summarizes it succinctly: Producers foresee continued industry change ahead, mostly driven by consumer pressure.

Drovers State of the Beef Industry 2024 Report

(Farm Journal)

Viability is Top of Mind

Despite the challenges, producers are thinking to the future with plans to add a family member and grow their herd size. In fact, 54% of producers in this year’s survey indicate they plan to add a family member to the operation (versus 51% in 2023).

Even though it doesn’t appear the business will see rapid rebuilding , there are indications many of these operations are viable and plan on remaining that way in the future. That’s certainly a sign of brewing optimism among the respondents.

Your Next Read: Are Cattle Producers Rebuilding Their Herds Now?

Two Bovine Veterinarian Students Receive Scholarships

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 15:20:28 GMT

Merck Animal Health announces it has awarded $20,000 in scholarships to two future bovine veterinarians in partnership with the Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC) Foundation, the charitable arm of AVC.

AVC provides continuing education to veterinarians involved in the beef cattle industry.

The scholarships recently were awarded at AVC’s summer conference in Denver. The 2024 scholarship recipients, each receiving $10,000, include:

Dylan Bostick, a fourth-year veterinary student at Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine
Cody Minyard, a fourth-year veterinary student at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine

“Merck Animal Health is proud to honor these veterinary students who have chosen to seek careers in veterinary medicine,” says Justin Welsh, DVM, executive director of livestock technical services at Merck Animal Health.

“Now more than ever the industry needs these bright minds, who will bring their dedication and learnings to animal care. These exemplary students embody our commitment to cattle care as well as to our mission to advance the Science of Healthier Animals,” Welsh adds.

“We are grateful to Merck Animal Health for their partnership as we support these veterinary students who will soon be leading the veterinary profession and providing critical support to the cattle industry in North America,” says Bob Larson, DVM, executive director, AVC. “These exceptional scholarship recipients have the skills and abilities to ensure a promising future for the beef industry.”

The AVC Foundation engages in a broad range of charitable, scientific and educational activities to support and promote veterinary medicine. It supports improvements and innovations in beef cattle health, well-being, productivity and sustainability through scholarship programs that benefit the future of beef cattle veterinarians, producers and the public.

To learn more about the AVC Foundation, visit http://www.avc-beef.org/default.asp .

Four Veterinary Students Named DHIA Scholarship Recipients

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 15:15:24 GMT

The National Dairy Herd Information Association (DHIA) Scholarship Committee selected Eleni M. Casseri, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Travis Lenssen, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Jared Sanderson, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Erin Will, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, as recipients of $1,500 National DHIA Veterinary Student Scholarships.

Selection committee members evaluated applicants on overall interest as a veterinarian planning to work in dairy, involvement in dairy medicine and extra-curricular activities, and interest in using dairy software and dairy records to aid in dairy management and in improving animal health. To be eligible for a National DHIA Veterinary Student Scholarship, applicants must be third- or fourth-year veterinary medicine students and enrolled at a college that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education.

Raised in a suburb of Buffalo, N.Y., Casseri touched her first cow when she was a senior in high school. A visit to a large dairy farm changed her veterinarian career interest from small animals to bovines. Casseri studied animal and veterinary sciences at the University of Vermont and earned a master’s degree in public health in epidemiology from the University at Buffalo. In addition to her veterinary medicine classes at Cornell University, Casseri conducts epidemiology research that focuses on learning about dairy farmers’ attitudes toward antibiotic resistance as a threat to their animals and comparing those attitudes to their daily antibiotic use habits. Last summer, Casseri did an externship with Riverview, LLP, at one of its Midwest dairies. As part of that experience, she conducted a clinical trial on an immune modulator injection in fresh cows and evaluated heat stress in animals in various locations across the barn.

With strong support from his grandpa and uncle, Lenssen spent his formative years working on their dairy farm and participating in FFA and 4-H agricultural activities. As an FFA member, he placed second in Washington’s state farm business management contest. A fellow church member and local veterinarian, Jacob Steiger, realized Lenssen’s potential and encouraged Lenssen to ride with him. That experience sparked Lenssen’s interest in veterinary medicine. Lenssen majored in animal science at Washington State University (WSU) and then enrolled in WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. As an undergraduate, Lenssen served as president and activities coordinator for the WSU Dairy Club and participated in Spanish Club activities. After earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, he plans to work as a dairy veterinarian in “dairy country,” such as New Mexico, eastern Texas and southern Idaho.

Sanderson gained valuable dairy cattle experience on his grandfather’s farm and through 4-H. Additionally, veterinarians at a local veterinary clinic mentored him. These experiences led Sanderson to pursue a bachelor’s degree in animal science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Michigan State University (MSU). At MSU, he participated in Dairy Club and Block and Bridle, and served as Dairy Club president. Furthermore, Sanderson was part of Tower Guard, which provides assistance to students with disabilities while proctoring tests, converting textbooks into audio files and volunteering at Special Olympics sporting events. He also participated in Dairy Challenge; his team won the national championship. At MSU, Sanderson worked in a dairy nutrition laboratory and interned with Purina Animal Nutrition. He has a deep interest in nutrition, particularly transition cow management and byproduct utilization.

Raised on a small dairy farm in southern Indiana, Will’s youth and high school activities focused on agriculture. Throughout high school, she co-managed the breeding practices on the family’s farm and was recognized by FFA with a Gold ranking in the National Dairy Proficiency award. Will earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Purdue University. Active in the Purdue Dairy Club, she served as president and participated in Dairy Challenge and dairy judging. Her dairy judging team placed first at the Fort Worth Stock Show. Also, she was an Indiana Dairy Ambassador, which helped her build advocacy skills and relations with Indiana dairy farmers. During veterinary school, Will served as Food Animal Club dairy chair. She participated in Indiana’s bovine ambulatory and state fair production medicine blocks, and completed a dairy veterinary medicine/research internship at Iowa State University.

Money generated from the annual National DHIA Scholarship Auction primarily funds the organization’s scholarship program. Investments and donations also help build the fund. Support the National DHIA Scholarship Program by donating $15 or more and receive a copy of The Big Book of Moo by Leigh Rubin. The Big Book of Moo features nearly 300 cow-centric cartoons. To order, e-mail BookOfMoo@dhia.org. To donate to the National DHIA Scholarship Fund, contact Leslie Thoman at 608-848-6455 ext. 108 or lthoman@dhia.org.

National DHIA, a trade association for the dairy records industry, serves the best interests of its members and the dairy industry by maintaining the integrity of dairy records and advancing dairy information systems.