FASS Responds to Animal Care Concerns

Champaign, Illinois - February 23, 2015 - In response to recent concerns raised about the care of farm animals in research at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (US MARC), the Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on February 19, 2015. In this letter, FASS expressed its support for the use of resources, such as the FASS "Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching" (FASS Ag Guide), in promoting proper farm animal care in research using the latest scientific information. As leading experts in animal science, FASS and the members of its founding societies take seriously the responsibility to provide assistance at the top levels of government regarding animal research.

With the recently voiced public concerns over animal safety and welfare, some have called for legislative changes to expand the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to include farm animals used in agricultural research at USDA and possibly other sites. Because the FASS Ag Guide provides current, science-based guidelines specifically relevant to farm animal care in research, it is the most applicable resource for scientists conducting research with farm animals. FASS does not believe an expansion of the AWA would improve animal care. FASS encourages the use of the Ag Guide, in tandem with peer review, to ensure responsible treatment of animals at research facilities.

Since 1988, FASS (then the Federation of American Societies of Food Animal Sciences, FASFAS, the predecessor to FASS) has published the FASS Ag Guide; in the years since, it has become the primary document used for governing farm animal research in the United States and abroad. The FASS Ag Guide is used by many institutions, including USDA inspectors and the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International, because of its detailed, science-based, and species-specific recommendations.

Since its inception, the stated mission of FASS has been to "strengthen the common interests and collective good of member societies through a unified science-based voice that supports animal agriculture, animal products, and food systems globally through effective and efficient management services." To achieve this, FASS has consistently sought to foster the shared goals of its founding societies and assist policy makers in areas of animal science. With this in mind, FASS and its members stand ready to provide support to USDA and other government agencies regarding the best way forward for safety and welfare in animal research.

For more information or to learn more about FASS, please visit www.fass.org

National Animal Nutrition Program Hosts Washington D.C. Summit:
Defining Animal Nutrition Research Priorities for a Healthy Society

LEXINGTON, KY - The National Animal Nutrition Program, a National Research Support Project, is hosting a Spring Summit at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. entitled "Defining Animal Nutrition Research Priorities for a Healthy Society". The March 25^th, 2015 event was designed to bring together expertise from a wide range of disciplines to exchange information that will help identify strengths and gaps in animal nutrition knowledge that may provide promising contributions to optimal human, animal, environmental, and economic health. The program is intended to strengthen the interface among scientists, research program managers, practitioners, and policy makers for an informed, scholarly discussion of the future role of animal nutrition in improving societal health.

The day will be comprised of a keynote address by Dr. Cathie Woteki (USDA), three morning talks on the relevance of animal nutrition research to human and animal health, four afternoon talks on the role of animal nutrition research in environmental and economic health, and a capstone address by Dr. Carlos Saviani (WWF). Panel and group roundtable discussions will be held both in the morning and afternoon sessions. The event is free of charge and lunch will be provided for registered attendants.

Due to space limitations, registration spots are limited and by invitation only. Registration invitations are distributed by the National Animal Nutrition Program. To solicit an invitation, please contact Summit Organizing Committee member Robin White at rrwhite@vt.edu or (509)-701-9290.

FASS Congressional Science Fellowship 2015-2016
INVITATION FOR APPLICATIONS-EXTENDED DEADLINE

FASS is pleased to announce the 2015 FASS Congressional Science Fellowship invitation for applications, with an extended application submission deadline of March 20, 2015. The purpose of the fellowship is to make practical contributions to the more effective use of scientific and technical knowledge in government, to demonstrate the value of science-government interaction, and to provide a unique learning experience for the recipient.

A Ph.D. degree in an area of animal sciences is required. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Proof of applicants' legal right to work in the United States may be requested prior to being hired.

Who would be a likely candidate? This experience is valuable to a junior member of ADSA, ASAS, or PSA with relevant career objectives and interests. Perhaps an established faculty member would want to combine this program with a sabbatical leave to gain experience in public policy issues and governmental processes. An administrator in the land-grant system or an industry organization might find this sort of opportunity rewarding and useful.

The fellow selected will spend one year working as a special legislative assistant on the staff of a member of Congress or of a Congressional committee, advising on a wide range of scientific issues as they pertain to public policy. The program includes an orientation on congressional and executive branch operations and a yearlong seminar program on issues involving science and public policy.

The position will begin September 1, 2015, and will continue through August 31, 2016. FASS requires attendance at the AAAS orientation session in late August 2015. For further information and application materials, see http://www.fass.org/positions.asp or email jamier@assochq.org.

Application deadline is March 20, 2015. We invite all interested scientists to apply

JAM 2015 Updates and Reminders

The abstract submission site for JAM 2015 is open and looking for your abstracts, but the deadline is TUESDAY MARCH 3, do get them in! The success of JAM begins with the quality of the science presented-we look forward to your contributions to this global gathering of animal and dairy scientists. To submit your abstract visit http://www.jtmtg.org/JAM/2015/call.asp. Submission instructions, quality standards, answers to frequently asked questions, and student competition guidelines are available on the page. Remember the deadline for abstract submission is March 3, 2015, at 11:59 pm (Central Time).

Have you made your plans to attend?  Be sure you are among the 3,500 scientists from 50 countries who will meet in Orlando. The JAM 2015 scientific program will feature 2,200 oral and poster presentations as well as symposia, workshops, and pre-conference events presented by the world's leading animal and dairy scientists. Topics include animal health and well-being, dairy food science, dairy production, animal and human nutrition, livestock transport, food safety, and production and management. A full list of Symposia and workshops with information about each of theme is available by clicking here. Visit the JAM website often (http://www.jtmtg.org/2015) for the latest meeting information. The JAM housing page is now open also: simply click on the Hotel Information tab on the JAM website to make your reservation online. We will see you there.

S-PAC Update

We are pleased to announce the addition of proceedings from the 2014 Southwest Nutrition Conference to S-PAC. Subscribers have access to 516 proceedings from 56 conferences. Visit http://spac.adsa.org to check out the complete listing. If you are not yet a subscriber now is a great time to subscribe, just click on the button "Subscribe to S-PAC" and follow the directions to add this powerful tool to your information toolbox.

It's Not too Late to Renew (or Join)

While January has passed, you can still renew your ADSA membership.  Items above highlight two of the many of the benefits of membership: S-PAC and member discounts for the annual meeting. All of the benefits are in addition to receiving our top rated Journal of Dairy Science.  Be sure that you continue to receive your benefits throughout the year by renewing today. If you are not already a member we hope that you find the many ADSA benefits of interest.  Now is a great time to join and take advantage of all these member benefits and joining. In order to serve our members, and potential members more efficiently, we are continuing to offer online dues renewal.

https://secure.fass.org/dues.asp

If you prefer to renew with a printed form, a PDF can be downloaded.

• Domestic joint renewal form for 2015
• ADSA demographics (required of all ADSA members)

Would you like to help the animal and dairy science community and attend JAM 2015 for free?

Referrals are the most tried-and-true way businesses grow, and the same is true for the Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS). Do you know a colleague working with an animal science group that is in need of high-quality, cost-effective support services? Help them out by referring them to Jamie Ritter, FASS
Executive Director at jamier@assochq.org .

Help them benefit from the shared resource concept and the 264 years of collective experience the FASS staff have in working with non-profit animal science organizations. If your referral becomes a FASS customer prior to July 1, 2015, ADSA will comp your registration to the 2015 JAM. It's win-win-win. For more information about services offered by FASS, click here.

ADSA is a founding member of FASS.