Preparation

                The Boy Scouts of America made famous the motto, “Be prepared.”  I never made it to Eagle Scout, but these two simple words have stayed with me throughout my career.  Whether keeping my truck fully stocked while in practice or reviewing DHIA records and planning ahead for an Extension farm visit, I am more confident in my actions when I am prepared.  In late June, the Executive Board will have met in Washington DC along with our counterparts from the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.  We will have had the opportunity to jointly discuss issues that are affecting all of animal agriculture.  We will meet with many government agencies and organizations including USDA, FDA, CVM, FSIS, and AAVMC as well as industry groups like NCBA and NMPF.  Those are a lot of acronyms, but each agency or group has a specific purpose.  Your AABP officers will be gaining insight into upcoming issues as well as addressing current and past concerns for bovine practitioners.  As a profession, we need to be prepared to face the future including unexpected detours along the way.

                The preparations are nearing completion for the 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners in Omaha.  Roger Saltman and the Program Committee have produced a strong line-up again this year.  Make plans to enroll in a pre-conference seminar, and then get geared up to gain new knowledge at the general sessions.  As always, one of my favorite activities at the annual meeting is the opportunity to catch up with old friends through “hallway networking.” 

                If you selected the “Electronic Only” option on your annual dues renewal form, you will not receive a copy of the Proceedings by mail in mid November.  These tech-savvy members will be able to download the final version from the Member’s Only side of the website shortly after the conclusion of the Omaha meeting.  Those that did not select the electronic option will still receive a printed version in the mail.  For those that prefer to attend scientific meetings with greater preparation, Steve Johnson will provide a draft version of the Proceedings for download from the AABP website.  All of the papers written for the annual conference can be downloaded in PDF format.  If you are looking for reading material prior to the meeting, take advantage of this member service.