2000 Annual Meeting Report

Annual Meeting report

The 2000 Annual Meeting of the AASP was held on March 11-14, 2000, at the Westin Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana. The revitalized downtown area of Indianapolis provided many venues for entertainment. The value of the AASP’s Annual Meeting to the members was again verified by the large number of attendees at this year’s meeting: 572 members and 54 student members were present. Forty-five companies sponsored technical tables, and 133 accompanying industry representatives were available for consultation with attendees.

Dr. Bob Morrison and his program committee organized a strong and interesting program that emphasized the changes facing the pork industry and the swine practitioners who serve the industry. In addition to the general session, the program included 15 pre-conference workshops, 14 student seminar presentations, 3 industrial partners’ sessions, and 6 concurrent seminars featuring 55 expert presenters. Dr. David Reeves gave a stimulating, thought-provoking Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture to open the general session on Monday morning. Dr. Reeves challenged swine practitioners to think about their future role in this dynamic pork industry. He stated that, "Our effectiveness in the new industry will depend upon our timeliness, adaptability and skill". Other presentations in the general session included a presentation by Margaret Prahl, an attorney specializing in agricultural law, on the subject of persuasion and its value to our daily activities. Lois Britt, a public relations specialist for Smithfield Foods, discussed "Managing Your Public Image". This was followed by a presentation by Steve Kopperud, titled, "Influencing the Outcome at Local, State, and National Level". Dr. Tom Burkgren discussed the range of activities of AASP and the value these activities bring to our members. The final presentation of the general session was a report on the state of the AASP journal, Swine Health and Production, by the new editor, Dr. Cate Dewey.

AASP Board of Directors Meeting

President Al Scheidt convened a meeting of the AASP officers and Board of Directors on Saturday, March 11, 2000. The three newly elected Board Members were introduced: Dr. Michael Mull, Bellevue, Ohio (District #1); Dr. Kerry Keffaber, North Manchester, Indiana (District #4); and Dr. Michael Senn, Newton, Kansas (District #7).

Photo: AASP President Dr. Al Scheidt addressing the membership at the AASP Annual Business Meeting

Highlights of the meeting included the following reports:

Membership

Dr. Burkgren reported that the number of paid members for the year 2000 was slightly higher than for 1999, but lower than for 1998. There was discussion concerning the ability and need to attract international members, and the need to change the name of the organization. No action was taken, as these issues were agenda items for the AASP Strategic Planning Meeting to be held on April 1 & 2 in Kansas City.

AVMA Report

Dr. Robert Dietl, AVMA District 6 Director, updated the board on several items the AVMA has been involved with recently:

• Judicious use guidelines for therapeutic antimicrobials.
• USDA appropriations for new facilities for the National Animal Disease Center, the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, and the Center for Veterinary Biologicals.
• AVMA "Mega Study" -concern was expressed by Board Members that projections for future demand for swine practitioners were inaccurate.

AASP Foundation

Dr. Burkgren reported that Campaign 2000 now has 125 Leman Fellows. He also reported on the veterinary student scholarships that would be awarded at the 2000 Annual Meeting. These awards include six undergraduate (pre-DVM) scholarships. One $5,000 scholarship was funded by Roche Animal Nutrition and Health. Five $2,000 scholarships were funded by the Lilly Foundation on behalf of Elanco Animal Health. One graduate student scholarship of $2,000, funded by the AASP, will also be awarded to a veterinarian engaged in a post-DVM graduate program.

The AASP Foundation held both live and silent auctions to raise money for the foundation’s endowment fund. Many of the auctioned items were generously donated to the foundation by the following individuals and companies:

• Cash donations
  • Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica
  • Newport Laboratories
  • MVP Laboratories
  • Fort Dodge Animal Health
  • Immtech Biologics
• Carol Rodibaugh – original framed art
• Dr. Tony Scheiber – framed print
• Ralph Vinson – caddying services for golf trip
• Grand Laboratories – Black Hills Gold Watch
• AVMA-PLIT – fly rod
• Pfizer, Inc. -Terry Redlin print

The generosity of these individuals and companies is greatly appreciated. The live auction raised over $10,000 for AASP Foundation Endowment. Thanks to all of you!

Pork Safety Committee

Dr. James McKean presented the Board with the "Good Production Practices" (GPP’s) for pork production. The Board approved these as official AASP documents to be presented to the National Pork Producers Council and USDA. The Good Production Practices document and the audit material will be mailed to all AASP Members.

Swine Health and Production

Dr. Cate Dewey reported that manuscript submissions were up. The resignation of Associate Editor Ruth Cronje prompted the Board to move the SHAP business office to the AASP office in Perry, Iowa, and place the Managing Editor in that office. Dr. Dewey will hire a new Associate Editor who will probably be located in Guelph, Ontario.

NPPC

Dr. Dave Pyburn updated the Board on NPPC activities including:

• Trichina herd certification
• Joint AASP/NPPC Biosecurity Working Group
• PQA revisions
• Pork Checkoff Referendum – The Board postponed a motion to support the national pork checkoff in its current form.

Pre-convention Workshops

The program committee provided a wide variety of learning opportunities in the 15 workshops offered Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Six of the workshops offered development opportunities for personal skills. These included subjects like TheWorld Wide Web, Business Development and Practice Management for the Swine Practitioner, Using Digital Image Technologies in Your Practice, Continuous Improvement/Statistical Process Control, Negotiate like a Pro, and Planning for the Future. Other topics included biotechnology, animal welfare, antimicrobial resistance, real-time ultrasound, food safety, disease diagnosis and management, nutrition, and occupational health and safety.

Attendance continues to grow in the workshops, which speaks loudly for the subject matter and quality of the workshops and the desire of AASP members to learn and develop their professional and personal skills.

Student Seminars

Roche Animal Nutrition and Health again sponsored the Student Seminars and provided a stipend of $500 for each student presenter.

The students compete for the opportunity to present a paper at the annual meeting of the AASP. The competition is intense and only the highest quality papers are accepted. Thanks go to Drs. Sandra Amass and Tom Fangman for reviewing, selecting, and coordinating this excellent session.

Students from the following universities presented papers:

• University of Guelph
• University of Illinois
• Iowa State University
• University of Minnesota
• University of Missouri
• North Carolina State University
• Universidad Nacional la Plata, Argentina

Spencer Wayne from the University of Minnesota had the highest-ranking presentation, and was awarded a $5,000 scholarship provided by Roche Animal Nutrition and Health.

Five $2,000 scholarships were provided by The Lilly Foundation on behalf of Elanco Animal Health. The winners were Jeff Kurt and Ryan Ross from Iowa State University, Beth Young from the University of Guelph, Dan Theobald from the University of Missouri, and Pablo Ross from Argentina.

AASP funded a $2,000 scholarship for a veterinarian engaged in a post-DVM graduate program. The recipient of this scholarship was Dr. William Meier from the University of Illinois. Congratulations to all of the scholarship recipients.

Concurrent Session

There was fierce competition for audiences among the concurrent sessions on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. Topics in the Monday sessions included Management, Contemporary Swine Diseases and Pathogens, and Public Issues. Tuesday’s sessions dealt with Marketing and Contracts, Research Topics, and Diagnostics. There were a total of 53 presentations in these sessions. The diversity of subjects offered something for everyone attending.

Awards

Photo: 2000 AASP award recipients left to right: Dr. Gordon Spronk, Swine Practitioner of the Year; Dr. David Reeves, Howard Dunne Memorial Award; Dr. Tom Burkgren, Meritorious Service Award

Dr. Gordon Spronk was named the AASP 2000 Swine Practitioner of the Year. Dr. Spronk’s partners, colleagues, and clients wrote in support of his nomination for this award. The common theme in their letters was Dr. Spronk’s dedication to promoting pork production at the family farm level through his involvement with the Pipestone Veterinary Clinic and Pipestone Systems.

Dr. David Reeves, an associate professor at the University of Georgia and a Past President of the AASP, was honored as the Howard Dunne Memorial Award recipient. Dr. Reeves has been tireless in serving the AASP, the AASP members, and pork producers.

Dr. Tom Burkgren, the AASP Executive Director, received the Meritorious Service Award. Dr. Burkgren was recognized for his dedication above and beyond the requirements of his position. Dr. Burkgren has become a recognized spokesman for the AASP at the local, national, and international level.

Dr. Lew Runnels was honored at the AASP banquet for his years of service to the AASP, his students at Purdue University, and the pork industry. President Al Scheidt prepared a special video tribute to Dr. Runnels that chronicled many of his endeavors and accomplishments. Dr. Runnels is retired and enjoys life in West Lafayette, Indiana, when he and his wife are not traveling. Congratulations to Dr. Runnels!

Ruth Cronje received recognition for her 9 years of service to the AASP as Associate Editor of Swine Health and Production. Thank you, Ruth, and congratulations to the University of Wisconsin, Eau-Claire, where she will be putting her skills to excellent use.

Industry Support

The AASP continues to receive tremendous financial support from the allied industries. As in the past, we received financial support for many of the activities at our annual meeting which enrich the experience for all attendees. The AASP thanks the following companies for their generosity and continued support:

• Pfizer Animal Health – Hosted Saturday evening’s "Dining with the Dolphins" event.
• Schering Plough Animal Health – Hosted the Sunday evening welcoming reception.
• Elanco Animal Health – Co-sponsored the Monday evening reception and banquet, and five $2,000 student scholarships.
• Merial Animal Health – Co-sponsored the Monday evening reception and banquet.
• Bayer Corporation – Sponsored the Sunday evening student reception.
• National Hog Farmer Magazine – Cosponsored the Nursery Pig Diseases and Management Solutions Workshop.
• Roche Animal Nutrition and Health – Sponsored the student seminar with a $500 stipend for each student and a $5,000 student scholarship.

Business Breakfast

Dr. Bob Morrison from the University of Minnesota was installed as President of the AASP by outgoing President Al Scheidt. Dr. David Madsen from Shelby, Nebraska, became president-elect, and Dr. Lisa Tokach from Abilene, Kansas was elected Vice President.

The 32^nd Annual AASP Meeting will be held at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee on February 24-27, 2001. Mark your calendars and plan to attend!