GAO to review federally conducted animal research
A bipartisan group of 11 Members of Congress, led by Rep. Calvert (R-CA) and Rep. Titus (D-NV), wrote to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in December 2016 requesting a review of federal animal research.  The letter requests a review of the accountability and transparency of intramural animal research conducted by federal agencies.  The letter references the allegations of mistreatment at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, as well as NIH research on chimpanzees and other agency studies involving dogs.  The study is expected to cover issues including:
  • Which federal agencies are conducting animal research
  • Systems for tracking and reporting animal research, including any instances of noncompliance
  • Amount of money spent on animal research and number of animals involved
The effort is being driven by the White Coat Waste Project, which is an organization opposed to federal funding of animal research.  The timeline for the GAO study has not been announced.  A copy of the letter to GAO can be found here .
Bill increases access to vet care in underserved areas
Addressing the shortfall of veterinarians in rural areas is again receiving attention this legislative session. Sens. Mike Crapo (R., Idaho) and Debbie Stabenow (D., Mich.) reintroduced their Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act (VMLRPEA). Reps. Adrian Smith (R., Neb.) and Ron Kind (D., Wis.) introduced companion legislation, H.R. 1268, in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Nearly every state has a rural community that is suffering from a shortage in essential veterinary services.  To help address this concern, in 2003, Congress established the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP).  This program assists selected food animal and public health veterinarians with student loan repayment for a three-year commitment to practice in areas of the country facing a veterinarian shortage.  This program helps veterinarians with daunting student loan debt with making a living in a community where starting a practice may be otherwise financially impossible.

Read more
Land O'Lakes reports record earnings
Despite continued challenges within the farm sector, Land O'Lakes Inc. reported record net earnings for the year ending Dec. 31, 2016, which it said was powered by growth in core businesses and the unification with United Suppliers.

The company reported a record $320 million in net earnings on $13.2 billion in sales and returned a record $187 million in cash to its member-owners. This compares to net earnings of $304 million and cash to its member-owners of $161 million in 2015.

Read more
Restaurant Performance Index declined in January
Due to large part to weaker results among the current situation indicators, the National Restaurant Assn.'s (NRA) Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) registered a moderate decline in January. The RPI - a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry - stood at 100.1 in January, down 0.4% from 100.5 in December.

January's decline in the RPI was the result of broad-based drops in the current situation indicators, NRA noted. However, the group said the comparatively elevated level of the Expectations Index suggests restaurant operators are cautiously optimistic that business conditions will improve from where they are now in the months ahead.
ADSA News and Happenings

2017 ADSA Annual Meeting News
A new symposium has been added to the 2017 ADSA Annual Meeting:
On Wednesday, June 28, the Physiology and Endocrinology Symposium: Mediators of Effects of Stress on Reproduction, Growth, and Lactation (half day, morning) has been added.
Stress can be defined as any factor external to the organism that displaces it from the ground state. Among the stressors affecting dairy cattle that are important for performance are nutritional imbalances, infectious disease, and heat stress. Deciphering the physiological and cellular mechanisms by which specific stressors disrupt reproduction, growth, and lactation can lead to new approaches for reducing stress effects on cow productivity. This symposium will highlight recent advances in our understanding of the role of microorganisms, metabolites, and mitochondria as mediators of stress. Be sure to check out the current list of symposia and workshops, including speakers and their presentation topics, here:   https://www.adsa.org/2017/program.asp.
Online registration for the  2017 ADSA Annual Meeting is now open at https://www.adsa.org/2017/reg.asp. Professional members of ADSA who register online before midnight on March 15 will receive an additional $50.00 discount and pay the lowest rate of $445.00. Don't forget to register for pre- and post-conference events and other ticketed events to get the most from your visit to Pittsburgh. Nonmembers may join ADSA now to attend the meeting for only $445.00 (you must become a member and register online by midnight on March 15). After payment of professional membership dues, you can save as much as $155.00 over the lowest nonmember meeting registration rate and enjoy the great benefits of membership through December 31, 2017! The sooner you join, the longer you will enjoy the benefits of membership.
For those who prefer to register using a paper form, a PDF of the registration brochure and registration form has been posted on the ADSA 2017 website under the registration tab ( https://www.adsa.org/2017/reg.asp).
The ADSA Annual Meeting will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hotel room blocks have been secured at discounted rates for our attendees at the Westin Convention Center (ADSA HQ Hotel), Omni William Penn (site of the Teagasc-Moorepark-University College Cork Cheese Symposium on Thursday, June 29), and the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center (Student HQ hotel). You can book your room online now:  https://www.adsa.org/2017/hotel.asp.
We have created a world-class dairy science program for you, in a vibrant, bustling city, so please make your plans now to join us in Pittsburgh from June 25 to 28. The 2017 ADSA Annual Meeting website   (http://www.adsa.org/2017/) is updated frequently with the latest meeting information, so visit often.
We look forward to seeing you in Pittsburgh.
.
Would you like to help the animal and dairy science community and attend the 2017 ADSA Annual Meeting for free?
Referrals are the most tried-and-true way businesses grow, and the same is true for FASS. Do you know a colleague working with an animal science group that is in need of high-quality, cost-effective support services? Help them out by referring them to Jeremy Holzner, FASS Executive Director at jeremyh@assochq.org .
Help them benefit from the shared resource concept and the 264 years of collective experience the FASS staff have in working with non-profit animal science organizations. If your referral becomes a FASS customer prior to June 1, 2017, ADSA will comp your registration to the 2017 ADSA Annual Meeting that will be held June 25 to 28, 2017 in Pittsburgh, PA.  It's win-win-win. For more information about services offered by FASS, click here.
 
 
Large Dairy Herd Management Conference Recordings available
 Synchronized PowerPoint® presentations from the Large Dairy Herd Management conference, hosted by the ADSA Foundation at the Hilton Oakbrook Hills Resort and Conference Center, Oak Brook, IL May 1-4, 2016, are available for sale to all interested individuals.  They provide an opportunity to get a preview of the upcoming e- book and are a great resource for use in the classroom or industry meetings. Ninety four presentations, each representing one chapter in the Large Dairy Herd Management, 3rd Edition , are grouped into the fifteen sections planned for the e-book.  The e-book is scheduled for release in early 2017.  The sections are:
  • Large Herd Systems - Steven P. Washburn, North Carolina State University
  • Building Sustainability and Capacity - Dave Beede, Michigan State University
  • Facilities and Environment - Joseph M. Zulovich, University of Missouri & Joseph P. Harner, Kansas State University
  • Milk Markets and Marketing - Normand R. St-Pierre, The Ohio State University
  • Genetic Selection Programs and Breeding Strategies - Kent A. Weigel, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Calves and Replacements - Robert E. James, Virginia Tech
  • Reproduction and Reproductive Management - William W. Thatcher, University of Florida
  • Nutrition and Nutritional Management - Richard J. Grant & Heather M. Dann, William H. Miner Agricultural Research - Institute
  • Lactation and Milking Systems - Rupert M. Bruckmaier, - University of Bern
  • Mastitis and Milk Quality - Joseph S. Hogan, The Ohio State - University/OARDC
  • Animal and Herd Welfare - Trevor DeVries, University of - Guelph
  • Herd Health - Carlos A. Risco, University of Florida
  • Business, Economic Analysis, Decision-Making - Albert De Vries, University of Florida
  • Effectively Managing Farm Employees - Stanley J. Moore & Phillip T. Durst, Michigan State University
  • Precision Management Technologies - Jeffrey M. Bewley, University of Kentucky
The presentations provide an overview of the content planned for each chapter.  The entire set, or one or more sections, can be viewed without limitation for one year, from date of subscription.
To get the latest information on Large Dairy Herd Management, 3rd Edition, subscribe now at http://www.adsa.org/Meetings/LargeDairyHerdManagement.aspx
 
32nd
 ADSA DISCOVER Conference on Food Animal Agriculture:
Dairy Replacement Heifers: Transitioning from Weaning through First Lactation
May 30-June 1, 2017
Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca, IL
Early Registration Deadline: May 1, 2017
Note: registration is limited to the first 150 registrants.
Registration fees increase by $90 after May 1.
To view complete conference information or to register visit:
https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/DiscoverConferences/32ndDiscoverConference.aspx
 
Upcoming Videos
 DAIReXNET has announced that two new videos will be available soon. The first is "Feeding Lower Energy Diets to Transition Dairy Cows".  Dr. Heather Dann, Miner Institute will discuss the importance of transition cow management, and how feeding lower-energy transition diets could benefit a herd. From monitoring intake to coordinating various diets, Dr. Dann offers insights into setting cows up for success in their next lactation. This video is to be released March 15, 2017.
The second is "Economic Considerations Regarding the Raising of Dairy Replacement Heifers."Dr. Michael Overton, Elanco will discuss dairy heifer raising costs. In this presentation, he focuses on the differences in conventional vs. intensive heifer systems. Within this framework, he'll walk you through an analysis of costs incurred in different growth stages, compare models, and touch on the impact that heifer rearing programs can have on later lactation. It is to be released April 17, 2017.
The videos will be available on http://articles.extension.org/.   ADSA is proud to be an Industry Supporter and Contributing Partner to DAIReXNET.
 
Are You Part of ADSA® on Linked In
Our ADSA Linked In group continues to grow. We now include 1,596 members from around the world, are you one of them? It's a great place to get information and network with other dairy professionals from around the world.  Check it out here.






Integrating Dairy Science Globally

Make your plans now to attend the most comprehensive dairy science meeting in the world, the 2017 ADSA Annual Meeting. 

Included are invited symposia and special pre- and post-conference events. 

Visit the meeting website http://www.adsa.org/2017/ regularly for the latest information on the meeting.

See you in Pittsburg - The place where the dairy world meets in 2017.
 

Thanks to our Corporate Sustaining Members
                                 We appreciate your ongoing support of ADSA and the  Journal of Dairy Science ®.
Ag Processing Inc.
Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition
Dairy Nutrition Plus
Darling International Research
Diamond V
DuPont Pioneer
Elanco Animal Health
Grande Cheese Company
Lallemand Animal Nutrition
Nutriad, Inc.
Papillon Agricultural Company
Quali Tech, Inc.
Renaissance Nutrition Inc.
Zinpro
Zoetis
Zook Nutrition & Management Inc.
Calendar of Events
Mar 7-8, 2017  Dairy Science and Sanitation, Oregon State University. For more information, contact Louise M Felker, 607-255-7098, lmf226@cornell.edu

Mar 7 - 10, 2017     35th Western Canadian Dairy Seminar*, Sheraton Red Deer, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, For more information and registration click here
Mar 13-15, 2017  Midwest ADSA-ASAS Meeting, Century Link Convention Center, Omaha, NE. For more information, click here.

 Mar 15, 2017, 3:00 p.m. CDT  Webinar - Monitoring Personnel Performance with Emphasis on Animal Welfare by Gustavo M. Schuenemann, The Ohio State University, For more information and registration, click here.

Mar 30-Apr 1  2017 National Contest/Dairy Challenge Academy, Visalia, Cal. For more information, contact Molly Kelly at mollyk@dairychallenge.org, 217-684-3007. www.dairychallenge.org

April 11-13, 2017  High Temperature Short time (HTST) Pasteurizer Workshop, Cornell University.  For more information, contact Louise M Felker, 607-255-7098, lmf226@cornell.edu
April 12, 2017  Herd Health and Nutrition Conference. Holiday Inn, Liverpool/Syracuse, NY. For more information, click here.

Apr 17 - 19, 2017    Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference, Grand Wayne Center, Fort Wayne, IN, For more information and registration click here
April 20, 2017  53rd FL Dairy Production Conference. For more information, click here.

Apr 23 - 25, 2017   ADPI/ABI Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, For more information visit www.adpi.org
Apr 23-27, 2017  The World of Cheese from Pasture to Plate Short Course, Babcock Hall, Room 205. University of Wisconsin-Madison. For more information, click here.

Apr 26-28, 2017  Dairy Ingredients 360 Short Course - Introduction to the Basics of Production, Marketing and Use of Dairy Ingredients. The James Hotel, Chicago, IL. For information visit: http://www.adpi.org/events/dairyingredients360
May 2, 2017   Wisconsin Cleaning & Sanitation Workshop, CDR-UW Madison Babcock Hall, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

May 3, 2017  Dairy HACCP Workshop, UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

May 4-July 19, 2017  Certification in Dairy Processing online course, CDR-UW Madison, WI. For more information, visit: https://www.cdr.wisc.edu/shortcourses/certificate_dp_5_17
May 9-10, 2017   Applied Dairy Chemistry Workshop, UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205, Madison, WI. For more information, click here. 

May 10-11, 2017   California Animal Nutrition Conference (CANC)*,  For more information click here
May 14-18, 2017  Membrane & Other Separation Technologies short course - "Applications in food, dairy, beverages and bioprocessing", TIPS building, Texas A&M University Campus, College Station, TX. For more information, click here.

May 22-23, 2017   Pennsylvania Association of Milk, Food and Environmental Sanitarians 78th annual meeting, Pen Stater and Conference Center, State College, PA. For more information and registration, click here.

May 30-June 1, 2017   32nd ADSA Discover Conference - Dairy Replacement Heifers' Transitioning from Weaning through First Lactation, Eaglewood Resort & Spa, Itasca, IL. For more information, click here.

May 30-June 1, 2017  Precision Dairy, Hyatt Regency Lexington, KY. For more information and registration, click here.

May 31-June 1, 2017  The Science of Yogurt (Basic Level), Oregon State University, For more information contact Louise M. Felker, Ph: 607.255.7098  lmf226@cornell.edu  
June 1-3, 2017  2nd Annual Dairy Cattle Welfare Symposium: Intersection of Best Practices and Sustainability, Milwaukee, WI. For more information and registration, click here.

June 6-7, 2017  Science of Yogurt & Fermented Dairy Products-Basic Level, Cornell University, For more information contact Louise M. Felker, Ph:607.255.7098  lmf226@cornell.edu   
June 6-8, 2017  Cheese Grading Short Course, CDR-UW Madison, Babcock Hall, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

June 13-15, 2017  Science of Yogurt & Fermented Dairy Products-Advanced Level, Cornell University, For more information contact Louise M. Felker, Ph:607.255.7098  lmf226@cornell.edu  
June 25-28, 2017  ADSA Annual Conference and Tradeshow, Pittsburgh, PA.  For more information click here
July 8-15, 2017   2017 ADGA National Show. Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI. For more details, visit http://adga.org
July 16-21, 2017   36th International Society for Animal Genetics Conference 2017, University College Dublin, Ireland. For more information and registration, click here.

July 25-27, 2017  High Temperature Short Time (HTST) Pasteurizer Workshop, Cornell University, For more information contact Louise M. Felker, Ph:607.255.7098  lmf226@cornell.edu 
Aug 1-2, 2017  Milk Pasteurization Short Course. UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205. Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

Aug 08-09, 2017   Dairy Science and Sanitation, Cornell University, For more information contact Louise M. Felker, Ph: 607.255.7098  lmf226@cornell.edu  

Aug 21-22, 2017  HACCP/Food Safety Plans, Cornell University, For more information contact Louise M. Felker, Ph: 607.255.7098  lmf226@cornell.edu

Aug 23-24, 2017  Implementing SQF Systems, Cornell University   , For more information contact Louise M. Felker, Ph: 607.255.7098  lmf226@cornell.edu  

Aug 30-Nov 14, 2017  Certificate in Dairy Processing online course, CDR-UW Madison, WI. For more information, visit https://www.cdr.wisc.edu/shortcourses/certificate_dp_9_17
Sept 6-7, 2017   Cultured Dairy Products Short Course, UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205, Madison, WI. For more information, click here .
Sept 14-16, 2017  50th Annual Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Omaha, Neb. Nebraska CenturyLink Center. For more information visit, http://www.aadp.org
Sept 17 - 20, 2017 International Whey Conference, Chicago, IL, For more information visit www.internationalwheyconference.org

 Sept 19-22, 2017  33rd ADSA Discover Conference* Integrated Solutions to Fiber Challenges, Chicago Area. For more information, click here.

Sept 20-21, 2017   78th Minnesota Nutrition Conference, City Center Hotel, Mankato, MN. For more information, visit http://www.mnnutritionconf.umn.edu/
Oct 3-7, 2017  World Dairy Expo, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

Oct 9-13, 2017  Cheese Tech Short Course, UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205, Madison, WI. For more information, click here. 

Oct 12-18, 2017  121st USAHA/AAVLD Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA. For more information, click here.

Oct 17-18, 2017  The Dairy Ingredient Applications Short Course, UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

Oct 24 - 26, 2017   Global Cheese Technology Forum, Peppermill Resort, Reno, NV, for more information visit www.globalcheesetechnologyforum.org
Oct 24-29, 2017   2017 ADGA Annual Meeting & Convention, Hilton Airport Convention Center, Atlanta, GA. For more details, visit http://adga.org
Nov 2-5, 2017   International Conference on Communications in Veterinary Medicine 2017 Innovating Clinical Communications, Hockley Valley Resort - Orangeville, Ont., Canada. For more information, click here.

Nov 8-10, 2017  The Wisconsin Cheese Grading Short Course UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

Nov 13-16, 2017   Symposium on Gut Health in Production of Food Animals, St. Louis, MO. For more information, click here.

Nov 15-16, 2017  Pennsylvania Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop. For more information, click here.

Nov 29-Dec 1, 2017  The Ice Cream Makers Short Course, UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

June 24-27, 2018   ADSA Annual Conference and Tradeshow, Knoxville, TN. For more information, click here.

Sept 20-21, 2017  78th Minnesota Nutrition Conference, City Center Hotel, Mankato, MN. For mopre information, visit http://www.mnnutritionconf.umn.edu
Sept. 3-6, 2019   ISRP 2019 - International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology, Kongresshalle am Zoo Leipzig, Germany. For more information, click here.

*An S-PAC Partner Conference
If your organization's conference isn't among the ever growing list that contribute proceedings and presentations to S-PAC®, ask your conference organizer to contact Ken Olson for more information about the benefits of participation.
If you would like to have an event included in the "Dates to Note," please contact Ken Olson.

ADSA Membership Benefits                                  
                                            
Did you know that your ADSA Professional Membership provides you with:

*        Electronic access to the Journal of Dairy Science®

*        Joint Annual Meeting at member rates

*        Discover Conferences at member rates

*        S-PAC: Free access to JAM and ADSA divisional abstracts

*        S-PAC subscription at member rates

*        Access to recorded symposia library                                                                       

*        ADSA News (association newsletter)

*        ADSA Dair e-news (ADSA industry newsletter)

*        Access to member directory

*        Peer recognition through ADSA and Foundation Award Program

*        Discounted page charges in Journal of Dairy Science®

*        A strong voice of advocacy for the animal sciences, animal agriculture and agriculture research

*        Broad author recognition through ADSA/Elsevier press release program

*        Linked In and You Tube sites for ADSA

*        Quality networking with academic and industry professionals

*        Travel awards for all graduate students attending Discover Conferences

*        Opportunity to serve peers via committee and officer positions

 
For more information on your benefits please visit: http://www.adsa.org/join.asp
To join now and gain these member benefits, visit: http://www.adsa.org/join.asp

American Dairy Science Association
1800 South Oak St., Suite 100, Champaign, IL 61820
Email: ADSA@assochg.org