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1. NIFA Webinars on New Veterinary Services Grant Program
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Bulletin
April 18, 2016
The Veterinary Services Grant Program is authorized by Section 7104 of the 2014 Farm Bill and received a first-time appropriation of $2.5 million in the FY16 federal budget. NIFA anticipates releasing the first Request for Applications for this program in April 2016 and announcing the first grants awarded under this program by October.
NIFA will host three Veterinary Services Grant Program webinars to provide information to applicants and address their questions.
Eligible entities interested in the education objective of the program should join the May 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT webinar. Eligible entities interested in the rural practice enhancement objective of the program should join either the May 11 or May 15 webinar, scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Webinars will be recorded and posted here after the events. Any questions not address during the webinars can be addressed to vsgp@nifa.usda.gov.
Dial-in: 1-888-844-9904
Access Code: 1966323#
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2. EHV-1 Prevalence in Horses With Respiratory Disease
By Erica Larson, News Editor
TheHorse.com
April 18, 2016
Few horse health conditions have garnered as much attention across the country in recent years as equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). And for good reason. When it comes to a virus that can hide dormant in a horse for decades or kill him in a matter of weeks, owners can't seem to get enough information.
While veterinarians have a good grasp on many aspects of EHV-1, researchers are always working to better understand this ubiquitous ailment. Case in point: Nicola Pusterla, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, a professor at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, recently completed a study in which he and colleagues, with support from colleagues at Merck Animal Health, sought to better understand EHV-1 prevalence in horses with signs of upper respiratory tract infection. He presented the results at the 2015 American Association of Equine Practitioners' Convention, held Dec. 5-9 in Las Vegas.
Equine herpesvirus-1 causes varying clinical signs. In young horses it typically appears as a respiratory virus with clinical signs such as fever, lethargy, anorexia, mandibular lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes), and profuse clear nasal discharge. In adult horses EHV-1 can produce similar clinical signs, but it could also remain subclinical (meaning the horse shows no outward signs of disease), cause abortions in pregnant mares, or result in neurologic complications (a condition termed equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy).
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3. Help for those studying poultry
AgriNews
April 17, 2016
GREENFIELD, Ind. - Elanco Animal Health, in collaboration with the American Association of Avian Pathologists Foundation, announced the establishment of two scholarships available to students pursuing degrees in poultry science and veterinary medicine at an accredited college or university.
The Elanco Memorial scholarships are intended to honor the memory of past Elanco poultry veterinarians and scientists by supporting learning opportunities for future generations. One undergraduate student will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship, while a $3,000 scholarship will be presented to a veterinary student interested in poultry medicine.
The deadline for applications is Nov. 1, and recipients will be notified by Jan. 31, 2017.
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4. Idaho Heightens Response Efforts For White-Nose Syndrome In Bats
By Samantha Wright
Boise State Public Radio
April 18, 2016
After the deadly white-nose syndrome was found in a bat in the state of Washington, Idaho is stepping up protections against the fungus.
Idaho Fish and Game says it's working to prevent the fungus from coming here, while at the same time, making preparations in case it does show up, like creating an inter-agency response plan for Idaho.
The Department says there are 14 bat species living in the state. At least half hibernate here. white-nose syndrome is known to kill hibernating bats.
Bats are vital for a healthy environment. They eat tons of insects nightly, which benefits crops, forests and humans. In Idaho, bats contribute an estimated value of over $313 million in pest control every year to the agricultural industry alone.
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5. Oregon steps up bat search amid new disease scare
By Mark Freeman
Mail Tribune
April 18, 2016
State wildlife officials are ramping up the monitoring of bats this spring after a deadly fungal strain surfaced last week in Washington.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists have more questions than answers on whether Oregon bats are at increasing risk from white-nose syndrome, commonly called WNS, which has killed 6 million bats in North America since it was discovered a decade ago.
They have enlisted county public health officers, wildlife rehabilitators and the general public to look for dead or sick bats, including those seen flying during the daytime, and report them on a new online data-collection site at www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/health_program/WNS/reporting.asp.
"We don't really know where to look, so the best way to go at this is online reporting," says Colin Gillin, ODFW's state veterinarian. "We're trying to use all the resources we can."
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6. Veterinarians willing to serve in rural Va. can have school debt paid
By Alix Bryan
ATVR.com
April 18, 2016
RICHMOND, Va. - Qualified veterinarians with student loan debt, and who are willing to temporarily relocate to a rural location, could have their debt paid off through a federal partnership.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) today announced that the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for loan repayment grants for veterinarians willing to serve in parts of Virginia with moderate to critical shortages of food animal vets.
Several rural counties in Virginia lack adequate access to veterinary services for food supply animals such as beef cattle and sheep.
The critical shortage is in Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott and Wise counties. There is moderate shortages in three areas: Bland, Smyth and Tazewell counties; Patrick county; and Alleghany, Bath and Highland counties.
If a qualified veterinarian commits to providing at least three years of veterinary service in a designated veterinary shortage area, USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture will repay selected candidates up to $25,000 of their student loan debt per year.
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7. USDA Announces $4.7 Million Available in Grants for Food Safety Training, Outreach and Technical Assistance
USDA Press Release
April 18, 2016
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of $4.7 million in grants for food safety education, training, and technical assistance projects that address the needs of owners and operators of small to mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially-disadvantaged farmers, small processors, small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers, food hubs, farmers' markets, and others. The grants, offered through the Food Safety Outreach Program and administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), are designed to help these stakeholders comply with new food safety guidelines established by the Food and Drug Administration under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
"As growing demand for local food creates new economic opportunities for small farms, beginning farmers, and others, we are committed to ensuring that all types of farmers and businesses have the tools they need to be successful," said Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack. "By supporting projects that offer tailored training, education, and technical assistance for producers and processors of local food, these grants will benefit producers, the entire food supply chain, and consumers."
In fiscal year 2015, NIFA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) funded an infrastructure of National and Regional Centers to extend food safety education, training, and technical assistance to specific audiences affected by new guidelines established under the FSMA. In fiscal year 2016, the Food Safety Outreach Program at NIFA will build upon this established national infrastructure by focusing on the delivery of customized training for owners and operators of small farms, food processors, small fruit and vegetable wholesalers, food hubs, farmers' markets, terminal markets, and farms that lack access to food safety training and other educational opportunities.
This year, NIFA will fund three types of projects to help producers comply with FSMA. Pilot projects will support the development and implementation of new and potentially high-risk, high-impact food safety education and outreach programs in local communities that address the needs of small, specialized audiences from among the various target groups. Community outreach projects will focus on the growth and expansion of already-existing food safety education and outreach programs that are currently offered in local communities. Multistate Education and training projects will support the development and implementation of multi-county, state-wide, or multi-state food safety education and outreach programs where there are common food safety concerns, but the states are not necessarily located within the same regions.
A webinar* for potential applicants is scheduled for April 19, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. EST. Applications are due June 2. See the request for applications on the NIFA website for more information.
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