AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich provides and end-of-year update and a look forward to what AABP will have for its members in 2025. Gingrich begins by providing an update on the current HPAI outbreak affecting dairy cattle and reminding members of the resources available to them on the H5N1 page located here. The USDA dashboard of affected cases, funding opportunities, federal orders, biosecurity documents, and webinar recordings are available to AABP members. He encourages all veterinarians to familiarize themselves with the disease and the surveillance testing programs that have been implemented. AABP will also have a webinar to share the results of the survey and serologic testing of 100 attendees at the 2024 AABP Annual Conference from Columbus, Ohio. Find all AABP webinars under the Continuing Education menu of the AABP website at this link. All AABP webinars are recorded. Webinars approved for CE are on the online CE portal under the Continuing Education menu and webinars related to HPAI are on the H5N1 page of the AABP website.

December 27 is the deadline for casting your vote for the 2025 AABP Vice President election. Candidates are Dr. Jen Roberts and Dr. Elizabeth Quesnell Kohtz. Find the ballot and information about each candidate on this page. The AABP Nominations Committee is also accepting applications to be considered for the 2026 Vice President election. Self nominations are accepted and Gingrich suggests that members can contact anyone to encourage them to submit their name for consideration. Interested AABP members should send a letter of interest and CV/resume to [email protected] by January 31.  

The AABP Foundation also announces a call for research grant proposals by December 27 at 5 pm eastern. Funding is available for both beef and dairy research projects associated with cattle health, welfare and production. Up to $25,000 in financial support will be provided for up to two grants in 2025. For more information or to submit your proposal, visit this page.  

AABP also reminds listeners that applications to attend the USDA grant-funded Building Excellence in Rural Veterinary Practice workshops closes on December 20 at 5 pm Eastern. Attendance is free for those who qualify for the grant, and additional seats are available for purchase by AABP members by emailing [email protected]. Visit this link for more information. 

The 8th Recent Graduate Conference will be held in Norman, Oklahoma February 13-15, 2025m including preconference seminars. Registration closes January 31 and the hotel block will close on January 23. Find out more information and register here.  

If you are an AABP member who needs your CE certificate, membership dues receipt or your donation receipts, simply hover over your name after logging in to the AABP website to access these documents. During this season of giving, we encourage you to consider the AABP Foundation or one of its scholarship funds through this link.

Reminder to all members that in 2025, AABP will change its dues year to match the calendar year and give members the option of a 6-month or 18-month renewal to transition to the calendar year dues cycle. The AABP board has devoted significant resources to improving access to continuing education opportunities including webinars, online CE, publications and seminars held outside the annual conference. We welcome everyone to join AABP and renew your dues to support our advocacy of helping cattle veterinarians.  

Happy holidays and best wishes to each of you in the new year.