Academy of Veterinary Consultants

Letter from the President

Summer 2009

AVC Members:

This spring marked 22 years since I graduated from veterinary school. It has been a very quick and very interesting ride so far. In many ways, not much as changed. We still “hit’em all with a modified live vaccine at arrival. We still treat about the same percentage of new arrivals at the feedlot. We still post about the same percentage of deads. We still sell’em above and below the break-even in about the same ratios. We are still jealous of the feedlot cowboys that have the greatest job in the world when the weather is perfect (approximately 5 days per year in eastern Nebraska). We still work in a profession surrounded by people that are bred and conditioned recognize our blessings, accept our defeats with grace and are willing to work hard to make good things happen.

The animal agriculture community is still faced with a great number of challenges. Our charge of helping farmers, ranchers, backgrounders and feedlot operators produce safe wholesome beef in humane and safe environments has not gotten easier, in spite of technological advancements.  Our challenges are no longer simply based on economic principles of supply/demand and market risk management. While still critical, our daily financial considerations are tempered by omnipresent non-economic factors. In addition to helping keep our clients in business, our profession has the responsibility of providing appropriate stewardship of our antimicrobial, environmental, animal and people resources. We continually challenge ourselves and our peers with the question, “is this the best that we can do?” We continually compare our training and experience with the mountains of new information and social considerations that affect our markets. In order to best serve our profession, we must be academically mature enough to allow our thought processes to evolve. This evolution may result in confirmation of our favorite practices, or may cause us to abruptly change our procedures. I have found that the AVC is the most efficient place that I can obtain unbiased data that both support and refute my beliefs. I can have candid discussions with my colleagues that may have different opinions. I can see the pertinent data and then allow myself the opportunity to evolve.

We, as members of the AVC are being called upon to support our position on dozens of issues including antimicrobial usage, animal care and environmental stewardship. It is my goal as president to continue the tradition of ensuring that our members have the opportunity to stay informed, get involved, and have their voices heard as these important issues are debated. I encourage you to take advantage of the excellent program that Dr. Stokka has organized for the Colorado Springs Meeting this August. We will be updated on a tradition topic by exploring several aspects of Bovine Respiratory Disease from some of the world’s leading experts. We will continue to discuss animal welfare and handling procedures. If you can’t attend, I encourage you to go to our website and access the information. Don’t forget that you can now download our meetings in a podcast format to take with you on the road.

I will look forward to seeing you in August. Please travel safely.

Kelly F. Lechtenberg

President, AVC