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Industry support boosts AASV Foundation auctions to record levels
The combination of industry support and member bidding generated record-setting results for the AASV Foundation auctions during the 2006 AASV Annual Meeting. The total auction proceeds of $17,500 surpassed the previous high mark by more than $3000, thanks largely to generous donations by industry partners.

This year’s silent auction was organized around the theme "AASV Industrial Partners: A Foundation of Support." Companies participating in the Technical Table exhibits were invited to donate promotional items for the auction. Twenty-three companies donated items ranging from clothing and compendiums to golf balls and gift certificates. The donated items enabled the entire bid amounts – totalling $2820 – to benefit the foundation. The foundation is grateful to the following companies for their contributions:

"Gold Sponsors"

"Friends of the Foundation"

The live auction received strong support from AASV members as well as industry. Original art, sports items, and fishing trips were among the items donated by Carol (Max) Rodibaugh, Nancy (Rodger) Schneck, Sandy Amass, Warren Wilson, AVMA PLIT, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Rod and Jean Johnson. Showing their support for the foundation by placing the winning bids were Wayne Freese (Newport Laboratories), Steve Sornsen (Pfizer), Kim Schneider (Pfizer), R.C. Ebert, Pete Marlin (Intervet), Craig Rowles, Butch Baker, Christa Irwin, Charles Martin, Mark Rooney (Newsham Hybrids), and Teddi Wolff (Alpharma). The live auction generated $14,680.

The auction proceeds support AASV Foundation programs, which have recently included research funding, swine externship grants for senior veterinary students, financial planning seminars at the AASV annual meeting, and travel stipends for veterinary students attending the annual meeting.

Call for papers – AASV 2007 student seminar

Veterinary student scholarships

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians announces an opportunity for up to 15 veterinary students to make scientific presentations during the student seminar at the AASV Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 4, 2007, in Orlando, Florida. Interested students are invited to submit a one-page abstract of a research paper, clinical case study, or literature review for consideration. Abstracts and supplementary materials must be received by Dr Sandy Amass by midnight on Friday, September 22, 2006 (firm deadline). Faxes are acceptable. Late abstracts will not be considered. The abstracts will be reviewed by an unbiased, professional panel consisting of a private practitioner, an academician at a school from which no students have submitted an abstract, and an industry veterinarian. Students whose papers are selected for presentation at the meeting will be notified by October 16, 2006, and will be expected to provide the complete paper or abstract for publication by November 15, 2006.

To help defray the costs of attending the AASV meeting, Alpharma Animal Health is generously providing a $500 honorarium to the student presenter of each paper selected for the seminar.

Veterinary students whose papers are selected for presentation at the meeting will be eligible to compete for one of several veterinary student scholarships awarded through the AASV Foundation. The oral presentations will be judged to determine the amount of the scholarship awarded.

Alpharma funds a $5000 scholarship for the student whose paper, oral presentation, and supporting information are judged best overall.

The Eli Lilly & Company Foundation, on behalf of Elanco Animal Health, has provided additional funding enabling the AASV Foundation to provide awards of $2500 each for 2nd through 5th place, $1500 each for 6th through 10th place, and $500 each for 11th through 15th place.

Complete information for preparing and submitting abstracts is available on the AASV website (https://www.aasv.org/annmtg/2007/studentseminar.htm ). Please note: the rules for submission should be followed carefully. For more information, contact the AASV office (Tel: 515-465-5255; Fax: 515-465-3832; E-mail: aasv@aasv.org).

PMWS session proposes name change, establishes task force

Approximately 200 veterinarians attended a 2-hour "listening session" conducted by the AASV to address the current situation regarding postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). The session was held on March 7 in Kansas City, immediately following the association’s annual meeting.

Drs Francois Cardinal, Robert Desrosiers, and Butch Baker opened the program with presentations on the current disease situations in Canada, Europe, and the United States, respectively. In Canada, the latest disease outbreaks began in late 2004 and early 2005, with 90% of the cases occurring in finisher pigs between 13 and 18 weeks of age. The situation in Europe appears to be somewhat varied, with continued problems in the UK and Denmark, while the severity and prevalence of the disease seem less significant than previously observed in France, Italy, and the Netherlands. Dr Baker described sporadic cases of PMWS-like disease with elevated mortality in some areas of the United States. However, it is unclear if Dr Baker’s observations of severity and prevalence differ significantly from previous reports.

Following the initial presentations, AASV Past President Dr Tom Gillespie moderated a panel discussion, with questions and comments from the audience. Much of the discussion focused on the etiology of PMWS and the role of various viruses, bacteria, and management factors in causing disease. It was generally agreed that porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is associated with the syndrome described, but many believe additional co-factors are required for development of significant disease. Porcine circovirus type 2 is commonly found in most, if not all, pig herds worldwide. It was reported, however, that higher levels of PCV2 virus are found in pigs exhibiting the severe clinical signs of PMWS, and that PMWS has been produced experimentally using PCV2 in the absence of other bacteria or viruses. In addition, anecdotal reports from Europe indicate that vaccines containing only the PCV2 antigen have been effective at reducing clinical signs associated with PMWS.

The session revealed significant support for changing the name of the syndrome to minimize the emphasis of the term "wasting." While the term is considered to be adequately descriptive from a clinical standpoint, it was suggested that it is misleading to consumers and too easily associated with chronic wasting diseases which do not occur in swine. It was proposed that a name stressing the etiology of the disease should be considered. The name "PCV2-associated disease" garnered the most support, but a definitive decision was referred to AASV’s newly formed PCV2 task force, to be appointed and chaired by Dr Gillespie. Earlier in the week, producer delegates at the Pork Forum had adopted a resolution supporting a name change and indicating they would accept the name recommended by the AASV.

In addition to considering the name change, the PCV2 task force will evaluate the current level of knowledge and identify research gaps requiring additional focus. The task force will also promote dissemination of information regarding research and practical control techniques.

AASV session to address PRRS and PCV2 at World Pork Expo

AASV members attending the World Pork Expo are invited to participate in a special "members only" session addressing current topics on PRRS and PCV2-associated disease. The program will be moderated by AASV Vice President Dr Kerry Keffaber, and will take place in the Tourism Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Thursday, June 8, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. There is no fee and registration is not required; however, attendance is limited to current AASV members. The session program will be published in the AASV e-Letter.