White House Announces Plan to Combat Antibiotic Resistance
 On Friday, March 27^th, the Obama Administration released its National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (NAP).  The NAP comes as a part of the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 13676: Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.  The Executive Order outlines steps for implementing the National Strategy on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and addressing the policy recommendations of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST)'s report on Combating Antibiotic Resistance. 

The NAP outlines planned Federal activities over the next five years to enhance domestic and international capacity to prevent and contain outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant infections; maintain the efficacy of current and new antibiotics; and develop and deploy next-generation diagnostics, antibiotics, vaccines, and other therapeutics.  These activities were included in the President's FY 2016 Budget Proposal, which would direct more than $1.2 billion be invested in antibiotic resistance efforts. 

The NAP identifies the following five key goals to address antibiotic resistance:

1. Slow the emergence of resistant bacteria and prevent the spread of resistant infections

The judicious use of antibiotics in health care and agriculture settings is essential to combating the rise in antibiotic resistance. We can help slow the emergence of resistant bacteria by being smarter about prescribing practices across all human and animal health care settings, and by continuing to eliminate the use of medically-important antibiotics for growth promotion in animals.

2. Strengthen national "One-Health" surveillance efforts

A "One-Health" approach to disease surveillance will improve detection and control of antibiotic resistance by integrating data from multiple monitoring networks, and by providing high-quality information, such as detailed genomic data, necessary to tracking resistant bacteria in diverse settings in a timely fashion.

3. Advance development and use of rapid and innovative diagnostic tests

The development of rapid "point-of-need" diagnostic tests could significantly reduce unnecessary antibiotic use by allowing health care providers to distinguish between viral and bacterial infections, and identify bacterial drug susceptibilities during a single health care visit making it easier for providers to recommend appropriate, targeted treatment.

4. Accelerate basic and applied research and development

New antibiotics and alternative treatments for both humans and animals are critical to maintaining our capacity to treat and prevent disease. This involves supporting and streamlining the drug development process, as well as increasing the number of candidate drugs at all stages of the development pipeline. Additionally, boosting basic research to better understand the ecology of antibiotic resistance will help us develop effective mitigation strategies.

5. Improve international collaboration and capacities

Antibiotic resistance is a global problem that requires global solutions. The United States will engage with foreign ministries and institutions to strengthen national and international capacities to detect, monitor, analyze, and report antibiotic resistance; provide resources and incentives to spur the development of therapeutics and diagnostics for use in humans and animals; and strengthen regional networks and global partnerships that help prevent and control the emergence and spread of resistance.

In 2014, USDA published its Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan as a part of the overall effort under the Executive Order.  USDA has indicated that it does not anticipate any new regulations under the Food Safety Inspection Service or Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service as a result of the Executive Order.

Implementation of the NAP will be a long term effort for the federal government and will require engagement from the scientific community and industry.  The Department of Health and Human Services is currently forming an advisory committee to help guide the government's efforts and they are looking for a balance of experts including animal scientists with expertise in antibiotics, diagnostics and alternatives.  More information about the advisory committee and how to submit a nomination can be found here.  Nominations are due April 29^th. 

NAS to Hold Launch Event for Animal Science Report

The Network for Emerging Leaders in Sustainability (NELS), a part of the National Academy of Sciences is holding an event to launch of the report entitled The Critical Role of Animal Science Research in Food Security and Sustainability.  The event will take place at the National Academy of Sciences Building, Lecture Room 2101 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. EDT. The report identifies areas of research and development, technology, and resource needs for research in the field of animal agriculture, both nationally and internationally

The session will include:

• A presentation by Bernard Goldstein, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and Chair of the report's authoring committee;
• A panel discussion joined by Ann Bartuska, U.S. Department of Agriculture; and
• A Q&A session with Dr. Goldstein and a committee member Louis D'Abramo, Mississippi State University.

Those interested in attending can register by clicking here.

Discover Conference 29 - SOLD OUT
We have good news and bad news. The good news is that there is exceptionally high interest in the 29th DISCOVER conference 'Amino Acid Requirements of Dairy Cattle', scheduled May 26-29, 2015.  The bad news is that the conference is completely sold out due to space limitations
at the venue and the impact crowding may have on the discussion periods during the conference, one of the key distinguishing characteristics of the DISCOVER Conferences.  If you haven't already registered we are truly sorry, but we are no longer able to accept additional registrations.  There is a wait list, but the list continues to grow.

Two ways to get a part of the conversation is that the interpretive summaries for the conference will be posted on the DISCOVER Conference website (www.adsa.org/discover/ ) and on S-PAC shortly after the conference. We do encourage you get your registration in early for DC 30. It will be a great conference as well.

 
                                                          JAM 2015 Updates and Reminders

Register now for the best rate?  Professional members who register online before midnight (US Central time) on April 1 can attend the JAM for only $350. Just $350 for more than three and a half days of educational and scientific exchange at the premier animal and dairy science meeting in the world. A recent survey of similar meetings showed that JAM provides the most science at the lowest registration rate-and all registration rates for 2015 have been reduced to 2013 rates. The early rate for graduate student members is even lower, at just $75.

Not a member of ADSA® or ASAS? Now is the time to join and save up to $90 over the lowest nonmember rate and enjoy the benefits of membership through December 31, 2015. Just visit www.adsa.org or www.asas.org to join, and then visit the JAM website to register at the member rate. The registration savings will almost pay for your annual membership.

Be sure to visit http://www.jtmtg.org/2015 for information on Sunday's pre-and post-conference events (paid and free) before making your travel plans. 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.

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

Remember, it is still not too late to renew your ADSA membership and retain all the member benefits like S-PAC and member discounts for the annual meeting and Discover Conferences. 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.