USDA tweaks organic crops policies
AVMA supports new legislation to combat animal & human disease
USDA issues final rule to amend labeling provisions under country of origin abeling
Podcast: Rat brains change at night
Alliance supports efforts of AVMF, AHA in Oklahoma
By Emily Meredith / Animal Agriculture Alliance
May 23, 2013 – Shortly after the devastating tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma, Dr. Rod Hall, state veterinarian for Oklahoma, extended a formal invitation to American Humane Association’s (AHA) Red Star Animal Emergency Services to officially deploy to the disaster in Moore.
The tornado, reported to be EF-5 strength and two miles wide, touched down in the Oklahoma City area on Monday killing at least 24 people.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the people in Oklahoma as they begin recover and rebuild. Just as people are adversely affected by a natural disaster, so are our animals–both those we keep as pets and those on our farms and ranches,” said Animal Agriculture Alliance President and CEO Kay Johnson Smith. “The Alliance is encouraging its members to donate to worthy causes which will be on the ground in Oklahoma helping in this devastating storm’s aftermath.” Read more 
Online course: Pharmaceutical use in cattle
Click to learn more
Presented by West Texas A&M University
This course will equip persons involved in the administration, distribution or sale of pharmaceuticals used in cattle to maximize therapeutic outcomes, prevent drug-related problems and protect the wholesomeness of the food supply chain. Read more
ASAS members lead AMPA workshop
Dr. Jim Sartin (center back, orange shirt) and Dr. Steve Zinn (center back, black shirt) with attendees of the AMPA Writing Workshop
By Madeline McCurry-Schmidt / ASAS Communications
Two leading animal scientists traveled to Mexico this week to lead a workshop on scientific publishing. This workshop series is an important part of ASAS outreach around the world.
Dr. Jim Sartin, ASAS president, and Dr. Steve Zinn, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Animal Science, shared their writing experience at the Mexican Association of Animal Production annual meeting. Their goal was to help animal scientists prepare manuscripts for publications like the Journal of Animal Science. The publication world is competitive, so Zinn and Sartin explained how to improve writing quality and clarity.
Working on your own manuscript? You can visit “Writing Workshop” to view a past series of presentations by Dr. Greg Lewis and Dr. Michael Galyean.
Photo of the week: Cattle chutes
Chutes are used to restrain cattle during times it is essential for the animal to be still, such as when receiving vaccinations. Read more
Breed spotlight: The Yorkshire pig
By Samantha Walker / ASAS Communications
Pork producers rely heavily on the hybrid vigor that comes from crossbreeding, but that does not mean purebred hogs are just for show.
Different breeds are known for different things. Some are known for their meat quality, some for their growth rate and others for their mothering capabilities.
But sometimes swine breeders show favor for one breed over another and the breed that proves to be most popular is the Yorkshire.
According to data obtained from the National Swine Registry, a consolidation of the Yorkshire, Hampshire, Landrace, and Duroc breed associations, the Yorkshire is the most recorded breed in the United States with over 419,000 litters of pigs on record since 1988. Read more
