In this episode, Dr. Fred Gingrich speaks with AABP members who are part of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) FARM Technical Writing Group. Drs. Karen Jordan, Kate Lott and Brandon Treichler join NMPF staff Emily Yeiser-Stepp and Beverly Hampton-Phifer to discuss the specific standards that will be implemented in FARM 4.0 audits. FARM is a producer-driven program with a goal of continuous improvement in the dairy industry. Veterinarians are a critical component of the program in assisting producers to prepare to meet the standards. Find out more information at nationaldairyfarm.com. AABP guidelines discussed in the podcast can be found at https://aabp.org/about/AABP_Guidelines.asp.

In this issue, Dr. Fred Gingrich discusses the main points of the recently published Council on Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) issue paper on recruitment and retention of food animal veterinarians. Lead author and AABP Past President Dr. Christine Navarre and CAST Past President and AABP Membership Committee Chair Dr. Gabe Middleton discuss the issues related to retention of veterinarians in food animal practice, overcoming obstacles and challenges of rural practice, and providing support and mentorship to veterinarians in your practice to improve retention. 

The CAST issue paper and webinar from Dr. Navarre can be found on the CAST website at https://www.cast-science.org/publication/impact-of-recruitment-and-retention-of-food-animal-veterinarians-on-the-u-s-food-supply/. 

Listen to this episode with AABP President Dr. Calvin Booker discussing what he does in his private practice life at Feedlot Health Management Services, LLC, in Okotoks, Alberta, and the unique services they offer in their consulting-based practice. We also discuss many opportunities that veterinarians have as AABP members such as publications and continuing education resources. Dr. Booker also provides his perspective on AABP advocacy efforts for bovine veterinarians and encourages all bovine veterinarians to join our organization.

Dr. Fred Gingrich talks with Dr. Barry Feldman a suicidologist and clinical social worker on faculty at the UMass Medical School where he is the Director of Psychiatry Programs and Public Safety. In this episode, we discuss risk factors for mental health problems and recognizing the warning signs of suicide. Veterinarians can learn how to normalize the issue of suicide and directly ask clients, associates and friends if they are thinking about ending their life. Dr. Feldman also discusses the pneumonic IS-PATH-WARM to identify specific warning signs that should be acted upon if a person is displaying any of those signs. Finally, we talk about telemedicine and online resources for mental health disorders and suicide prevention. 

In this episode, Dr. Fred Gingrich leads a conversation with AABP members regarding how they are managing their role as cattle veterinarians during the COVID-19 outbreak. What are some financial issues your practice should consider? How can we assist our clients with advice about employee management during this time? What is the role of telemedicine in the face of social distancing? What are mixed animal practices doing to provide care for their patients as well as minimizing exposure to clients and staff? What is the role of AABP in advocating for our members during this outbreak? 

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich discussing rural practice challenges and opportunities with veterinarian Dr. Keelan Lewis. In talking about work-life integration, Lewis says, “We’re going to take our work home with us, so why can’t we take our life to work with us?”

 Do you work for a dairy herd that has issues with Klebsiella mastitis? In this episode, Dr. Pat Gorden discusses his experiences using the SRP Klebsiella vaccine in the Iowa State University herd and his research project utilizing this vaccine. You can find Dr. Gorden’s publication in the Journal of Dairy Science at https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-14267 or in the Spring 2019 Bovine Practitioner at https://journals.tdl.org/bovine/index.php/bovine/article/view/4275

 Episode 1: Dr. Fred Gingrich talks with Scott Uhlenhake, a physical therapist from Ohio. Today we discuss how cattle veterinarians can prevent injuries that occur due to the unique aspects of our work.