From ARPAS President Marit Arana, PhD, PAS, Dipl ACAS 

As spring is now here, the meeting season seems to be in full swing. I know that ARPAS has been represented at quite a few meetings in the last few months. I plan on attending the Discover Conference on Direct Fed Microbials in Indiana in April, and I will also be in Keystone, Colorado, for the Equine Science meetings at the end of May. If you know of anyone who would like to take the ARPAS exam at either of these locations, please have them contact me to arrange an exam time. My e-mail is marit.arana@algilbert.com. They can also visit the Web site and see other locations where exams are being offered.

The new ARPAS Foundation is or will be finalized by the time you are reading this newsletter. Please visit the brief article on the foundation that is in this newsletter for more information. Please let your Executive Council know if you have any questions or comments about the ARPAS Foundation.

Remember to please help us get our new ARPAS logo out in the world. It is available to use on business cards, stationery, and in advertising materials. Please contact Susie at the ARPAS office, and she will arrange for you to be sent the logo file.

The Nominating Committee (our last three past presidents) has done an excellent job finding outstanding candidates for the open positions. So, don’t forget to vote in the upcoming ARPAS election—make your opinion count. Those individuals who are elected will take over their new positions at the end of the summer meeting in Montreal.

From ARPAS Executive VP Kenneth Cummings, PhD, PAS, Dipl ACAN 

CEUs and Feeding the ARPAS Meter...
Your ARPAS meter requires 16 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) each year to stay in the black. If it is not fed, the numbers become red and you get a ticket.  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Be sure to exercise your right to vote-YOU MAY VOTE NOW! 

We are now conducting our election for new ARPAS officers. The election is being held electronically. This year we elect a president-elect, a midwest director, and a southern director. After you have finished reviewing each candidate's information below, return here and cast your vote.

We have an excellent slate of candidates, and the Nominating Committee is thankful to all of them for being willing to serve our organization. A short biography of each candidate is shown in the following information. Please decide who you think can best lead us forward and exercise your right to vote.

To vote, click here.

Submitted on behalf of the Nominating Committee by Darrell D. Johnson, PhD, PAS, Dipl. ACAN

Bill Braman, PhD, PAS 

Bill Braman was raised on a dairy and crop farm in Indiana. He received a BS in agriculture education from Purdue University and an MS and PhD in animal nutrition from the University of Illinois. Braman has held nutrition and management positions with several companies including Murphy Products, United Suppliers, ConAgra, PM Ag Products, Central Connecticut Cooperative, and Milk Products. Currently, Braman is vice-president of sales and marketing at Chr. Hansen, Inc., in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he has responsibility for North American business activities for the Animal Health and Nutrition Division. Braman is a member of the American Dairy Science Association; American Society of Animal Science; Poultry Science Association; ARPAS, currently serving as midwest director; and the American Feed Industry Association’s Nutrition Committee, currently serving as chairman. Braman and his wife, Georgina, live in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Dwain Bunting, PhD, PAS 

Dwain Bunting is a native of Texas and received BS and MS degrees in animal science from Texas Tech University and a PhD in animal nutrition from the University of Kentucky. He served on the faculty of the Department of Dairy Science at Louisiana State University for 10 years, teaching courses in nutrition and conducting research in dairy nutrition. He is the author of more than 40 journal articles and more than 100 other publications. He has been a member of ARPAS since 1990 and was midwest director from 2003 to 2006. He has worked in national and international marketing and technical support in the feed industry for the last 10 years. He is currently the ruminant marketing and tech support manager for Trouw Nutrition USA and resides in Lubbock, Texas.

James Spain, PhD, PAS 

James Spain received his BS in animal science from the North Carolina State University in 1984. This was followed with an MS in dairy science and a PhD in animal science from Virginia Tech in 1987 and 1989, respectively. He has been at the University of Missouri since January of 1990, where he has served in roles in dairy research, teaching, and extension. Spain currently serves as professor of animal sciences and vice-provost for undergraduate studies.
Spain is a well-recognized author and speaker in the areas of dairy nutrition and management. He is a member of ARPAS, American Dairy Science Association, American Society of Animal Science, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Council for Agriculture Science and Technology, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors, and National Science Teachers Association.

Alan Sutton, PhD, PAS, Dipl ACAN 

Alan L. Sutton received his BS degree (1966) in animal sciences and MS degree (1968) in animal nutrition from Iowa State University and his PhD (1971) in animal nutrition from Cornell University. Since 1971, he has been at Purdue University in the Department of Animal Sciences as an assistant professor from 1971 to 1977, associate professor from 1977 to 1983, and professor in animal nutrition and nutrient management since 1983.

Sutton’s research has focused on determining management practices to use animal manure as a resource and minimize the threat of pollution from animal manure. This has included such factors as the effects of diet, storage systems, and other factors on nutrient composition of animal manures and the effects of animal manure application rates and methods on soils and crop production. Recently, Sutton conducted research on diet manipulation to reduce nutrient outputs and the creation of odorous compounds from manure. Primary extension efforts have focused on developing and communicating science-based information on animal nutrient management for producers, consultants, regulators, policy makers, and extension educators.

Sutton is a member of the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), American Dairy Science Association, ARPAS, Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS), American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. He was an ARPAS charter member and is a diplomate of the American College of Nutrition. He has served as the midwest section director on the ASAS Board (1998–2002); on the ASAS Membership Committee; and on the FASS Environment, Waste Management and Ecosystems Committee (chair for two years). Currently Sutton is a member of the National Pork Board Environment Committee and a domain editor of environmental stewardship for the Pork Information Gateway of the US Pork Center of Excellence. Sutton was given the 1996 ASAS Animal Management Research Award and the 1999 USDA Foreign Agricultural Service International Honor Award. He participated in an animal husbandry fellowship (2001–2002) with USDA-NRCS to develop educational materials and incentive and policy programs for the feed management component of the Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning process. Sutton was recently awarded the Frederick L. Hovde Award for Excellence in Educational Service to the Rural People in Indiana (2002), Pork Producers Association Industry Meritorious Service Award (2002), Master of the Pork Industry Award (2007), Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association Certificate of Distinction (2008), and the Spirit of the Land Grant Mission Award (2008).

Patrick French, PhD, PAS 

Patrick French, PAS, is a native of Kentucky, where he grew up on a diversified farm. He received BS degrees in accounting and animal sciences and later an MS of animal science in 1996. In 1999, French received a PhD from Virginia Tech and accepted a teaching and research position at Oregon State University. During his seven-year career at Oregon State, he taught classes in nutrition and dairy production, advised students and student clubs, and conducted research related to transition cow nutrition and perennial grass forage quality. He served as major advisor to two PhD and four MS students. In 2006, French accepted the position of manager of ruminant nutrition and research with Southern States Cooperative Inc., which is a farmer-owned cooperative based in Richmond, Virginia. In his new role at Southern States, he provides technical field support in Southern States’ marketing area, including formulation and product development, and serves on several boards at Cooperative Research Farms. In addition to ARPAS, he is a member of the American Dairy Science Association and the American Society of Animal Science, and he serves as a judge for the Southeast Dairy Challenge student competition.

Dana J. Tomlinson, PhD, PAS, Dipl ACAS 

Dana J. Tomlinson was raised on a dairy in northeast Ohio with registered Guernsey cattle and Suffolk sheep. He received a BS in dairy science from The Ohio State University and advanced degrees in dairy nutrition and management from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg (1990). His primary area of research was replacement dairy heifer growth, body composition, and the effect of carbohydrates and rumen undegradable protein on growth and composition.

Tomlinson has been with Zinpro since 2000. His current responsibilities include research and nutritional services, which involves providing technical support to the North and Central American, Canadian, and South African sales teams, customers, and prospects. His research responsibilities include conducting Zinpro Corporation sponsored research on trace mineral nutrition with dairy cattle and companion animals. The emphasis is on the role of trace mineral nutrition on performance and immune competence, as well as management, housing, and the environment on production, health, reproduction, and profitability of dairy cattle. He has also evaluated trace mineral effects on skin integrity, hair and fur quality, growth, and immune function in companion and fur-bearing animals. Tomlinson has been a frequent speaker at international dairy conferences in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and South Africa, focusing on trace mineral function, dairy cattle lameness, reproductive performance, and housing.

Tomlinson previously worked for Purina Mills, Inc. (1990–1999) as the dairy nutrition and management consultant in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. This position involved dairy product development at six manufacturing plants, ration formulation, development of marketing materials, regulatory and pricing control, and technical support for salespeople and customers.

Distinguished Professional Animal Scientist—A New ARPAS Award 

ARPAS is pleased to announce the establishment of a new award to honor emeritus members who have made significant service contributions to this organization and to the animal sciences. The name of the award is Distinguished Professional Animal Scientist. The first recipients will be announced at our 2008–2009 annual meeting in Montreal.

Any ARPAS member may nominate a worthy emeritus member for this award, and the final selection will be made by the Executive Committee with approval from the Governing Council.

The guidelines for this award are as follows:

The ARPAS Distinguished Professional Animal Scientist award will be bestowed annually on emeritus members of ARPAS who have

• Made significant contributions to the animal sciences during their active career.
  


• Served in leadership positions within ARPAS and who have continued their membership in ARPAS as an emeritus member.

These individuals will be recognized by an article in the Newsletter and the PAS journal and with a tribute at our annual meeting. A suitable award will be presented to them on this occasion. They will also be granted lifetime membership in ARPAS with emeritus privileges.

The selection criteria are that nominees

1. Must have been an active member of ARPAS for at least 10 years prior to retirement from active membership.
   


2. Must have served in a leadership role in ARPAS during their active membership. Leadership positions are defined as officers, directors, representatives, and committee members at the national or chapter level.
   


3. Must have made a significant contribution to the animal sciences through teaching, research, service, or industry during their active professional career.

Nominations may be made by any member of ARPAS. Final selection will be made by the ARPAS Executive Committee with confirmation from the ARPAS Governing Council. The number of awards each year will not exceed 0.3% of the total ARPAS membership.

The ARPAS Foundation 

The American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists has recently established the ARPAS Foundation. The purpose for establishing this foundation is to provide a funding source for worthy educational efforts of ARPAS and its members that is not dependent on our annual budget. The Foundation is modeled somewhat after the American Dairy Science Association Foundation. The Foundation is still a function of ARPAS, and both are nonprofit entities for tax purposes.

This Foundation is organized separately from the ARPAS financial structure and is not funded as a part of the ARPAS annual budget or any current ARPAS reserve funds. Only the earnings from funds directed to the ARPAS Foundation will be used to further the educational efforts of the ARPAS Foundation. The initial governing body for the Foundation will be the ARPAS Executive Committee.

We have $20,000 that has already been directed to the ARPAS Foundation to establish a funding source for worthy educational activities for ARPAS members. Other ARPAS members are encouraged to consider making tax-deductible gifts to the Foundation. The ARPAS Executive Committee will soon be meeting to plan activities for fund-raising and to refine ideas for using the money earned by the assets of the Foundation.

The general principles and guidelines for operation of the ARPAS Foundation are as follows:

1. The funds accumulated by the ARPAS Foundation are to be invested at the discretion of the ARPAS Executive Committee.
   


2. Only the earnings from the invested funds may be used to support the educational efforts of the Foundation. The principal will not be used except under extreme circumstances as determined by the ARPAS Governing Council.
   


3. The ARPAS Executive Committee will make the final decision regarding the educational efforts to be funded by the Foundation. ARPAS members are encouraged to suggest uses for the funds.
   


4. The ARPAS Executive Committee will lead the ARPAS efforts to raise funds to build the assets of the Foundation.
   


5. In any event that the Foundation should be terminated, any remaining funds will become the property of ARPAS.

The Southern Great Plains Chapter of ARPAS 

The Southern Great Plains (SGP) Chapter of ARPAS will hold their annual meeting on April 10 in conjunction with the Plains Nutrition Council. The breakfast meeting will be held at the Marriott Plaza, 555 S. Alamo St. in San Antonio, Texas, at 6:30 am. All SGP-ARPAS members, and ARPAS members who wish to join the chapter, are invited. The speaker will be Ellen Jordan, PAS, ACAN, Professor and Extension Dairy Specialist for Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Dallas, Texas. Her topic will be “A Survey of Water Quality in the Southern Great Plains.” We will also nominate new officers and directors of the chapter. If you wish to attend, please contact Gerald Horn, President-Elect (phone 405-744-6621 or e-mail Gerald.Horn@okstate.edu).

The speaker and breakfast are provided thanks to contributions from the ARPAS Chapter Support Fund, Pfizer, Intervet, Novus, and Lallemand Specialities.

Following the meeting, officers will be available to give the ARPAS exam to those who wish to join.

The Washington, DC Chapter 

The Washington, DC area chapter of ARPAS is having its afternoon symposium and banquet on April 30. The symposium will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at Building 05 on the BARC campus at Beltsville, Maryland. This year’s topic will be Current Research Reports from the University of Maryland Animal Science Department. Faculty speakers include Brian Bequette, Amy Burk, and Lisa Taneyhill. Post-doctorate student Monika Proszkowiec-Weglarz and graduate students Kristina Heuck, Meredith Bohannon, Wynne Collins, and Beth Ventura will also present their research. There will be a banquet for both the Washington DC ARPAS chapter and the University of Maryland national capital area chapter of ΓΣΔ following the symposium at 6:30 pm at the neighboring Holiday in College Park. The featured speaker this year, Linda Wilmot of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, will speak on Regulations, Animals, and People. The ARPAS chapter will install its new officers and present a Distinguished Service award to one of its outstanding members. Undergraduate scholarship awards will also be presented to University of Maryland animal science students. ΓΣΔ will induct its new members and present Certificates of Merit to the University of Maryland outstanding graduating senior and faculty members who have done outstanding work in the areas of teaching, extension, and research. A Distinguished Career Achievement in Research award will be presented by ΓΣΔ. The cost for the symposium will be $35, and the cost for the banquet will also be $35, with a discount price of $65 if you sign up for both. Students will only have to pay $5 for the symposium. Interested persons should contact Vern Pursel at (301) 854-9758 for registration information.

Steven Boyles, PhD, PAS, Receives OSU Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching 

Steven Boyles, The Ohio State University, was honored this past year with a surprise visit by President Gordon Gee, Archie Griffin (OSU Alumni President and two-time Heisman Trophy Winner), and Linda C. Martin (OSU Dean of Teaching for the College of Food Agriculture and Environmental Sciences). Their presence resulted from Boyles' being honored with The Ohio State University Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching. This award honors faculty members for superior teaching. Recipients are nominated by current and former students and colleagues and are chosen by a committee of alumni, students, and faculty. Recipients of this award receive a monetary award and will also be inducted into the University’s Academy of Teaching, which provides leadership for the improvement of teaching at The Ohio State University.

Larry Chase, PhD, PAS, Dipl ACAN, Receives Distinguished Service Award 

Larry Chase, Cornell University, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Northeast Ag and Feed Alliance on February 10. This award was presented at their annual Boston Tea Party meeting. This award recognized Chase’s years of service to Northeast agriculture and the feed industry.

David R. Lincicome, PhD, PAS, Dipl ACAP, Receives Quadrangle Award and Certificate of Appreciation 

In October 2008, David Richard Lincicome, PhD, DABM, DACAP, PAS, was awarded the Quadrangle Award for exceptional service to the University of Illinois, where he is on the Council to the President of the University of Illinois. Lincicome also occupies a similar position at Virginia Tech, where the College of Agriculture has named a professorship after him. Also in October 2008, Lincicome was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the town of Roxbury, Connecticut, for his pro bono services to the community. These services included giving individual piano lessons to students of all ages on Wednesdays and Fridays and teaching a German language class on Saturdays. Lincicome has been retired from his university chair position since 1970.

2009 Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference 

The time for the annual Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference (TSDNC) is quickly approaching. The conference will be held April 21 and 22, 2009, at the Grand Wayne Convention Center, downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana, with adjoining hotel accommodations. Please list the Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference in the calendar of events section of your publication. Details can be found at the conference Web site: http://tristatedairy.osu.edu

In a two-day noon-to-noon format, the TSDNC, 2009, will feature presentations on the latest nutritional research and developments affecting the tri-state dairy feed industry. This annual conference is sponsored by Michigan State, The Ohio State, and Purdue Universities, with the help of an industry planning committee. Last year, more than 400 participants attended the conference.

Before the conference, there will be a preconference Dairy Management Symposium offered by Chr. Hansen Animal Health and Nutrition. It will be held at the same location as the symposium program running from 7:30 am to noon on the morning of April 21. For more details and to register for the preconference, see the TSDNC Web site listed above.

When asked which theme of this year’s conference was most notable, Tamilee Nennich, Purdue University Animal Sciences Department, said:

“The Corn and Corn Products theme is one of particular interest this year. ‘The Economical Value of Corn Silage’ will be covered by Dr. Normand St. Pierre, OSU; ‘Effects of the Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Corn on Digestibility’ by Dr. Fred Owens, Pioneer Hi-Bred International; ‘Feeding Low Starch Diets’ by Dr. Heather Dann, Miner Institute; and ‘Storing Wet Grain Commodities’ by Dr. Larry Berger, Illinois State University. These speakers are sure to tackle many of the feed cost concerns of dairy producers in the tri-state region and surrounding states in a time of lowered milk prices in 2009.”

If you publish a paper or magazine of interest to feed professionals in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, or the surrounding states and Canadian provinces, we would very much appreciate your assistance announcing this conference in the calendar of events in an upcoming issue. For more information, contact Michelle Milligan, Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, 211 Animal Science Bldg., 2029 Fyffe Court, Columbus, OH 43210-1095, phone: (614) 292-7374. You may also contact Tamilee Nennich, Purdue University, (765) 494-4823; Maurice Eastridge, The Ohio State University, (614)688-3059; or David Beede, Michigan State University, (517) 423-5400.

ADSA Discover Conferences  

Beginning August 2009, Special Conference Rates will be available to ARPAS Members.   CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Joint ADSA/ASAS/CASA Annual Meeting in Montreal, July 12–16, 2009 

ARPAS Governing Council meeting, Sunday, July 12, 2009, 8 am–5 pm, (Hyatt Regency)

ARPAS booth open 8 am–5 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

ARPAS examination opportunities in the Convention Center (preregister at ARPAS booth),

1. Monday, July 13, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm and 2:00 – 4:00 pm
   


2. Tuesday, July 14, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
   


3. Wednesday, July 15, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

ACAS meeting, Monday, July 13, 12:30–2 pm (Convention Center)

ARPAS Annual Business Meeting and distinguished PAS recipients awards presentations, Tuesday, July 14, 12:30–2 pm (Convention Center)

ARPAS Symposium, Tuesday, July 14, 2–5 pm (Convention Center)

1. 2:00–2:15 Introductions (R. D. Shaver)
   


2. 2:15–2:45 Feed Management From Perspective of National Feed Management Project (J. H. Harrison)
   


3. 2:45–3:15 Update on Feed Management From the Perspective of USDA NRCS at the National and State Levels (G. Carpenter)
   


4. 3:15–3:45 The Virginia Feed Phosphorus Monitoring Project (C. C. Stallings)
   


5. 3:45–4:15 Feed Management: Northeast Perspective on Workshops, ARPAS Certification and Relationship With National Feed Management Project and NRCS (V. Ishler)
   


6. 4:15–4:30 Wrap-up (R. D. Shaver)

FeedAC Annual Meeting: Open to ALL! 

FeedAC will hold its annual meeting this summer in conjunction with the National ADSA/ASAS/CASA Meeting in Montreal. The annual meeting will be held on Wednesday July 15 from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm and is open to all who are interested. Please attend the meeting and learn about FeedAC’s progress in feed analysis and feed database development. In addition to its annual meeting, FeedAC will also have an exhibitor booth at the meeting. FeedAC directors will take turns manning the booth, so be sure to stop by and ask questions.

2nd New Horizons Workshop Set 

Ken Olson, PhD, PAS, reports that the 2nd New Horizons in Johne’s Disease Control workshop, sponsored by the Johne’s Disease Integrated Program (www.jdip.org), will be held Monday August 10, 2009, in Wiley Hall on the University of Minnesota campus. The workshop, designed for producers and veterinarians, highlights the application of cutting-edge Johne’s research at the farm. Presentations will focus on effective management practices from birth through the mature animal. This year’s workshop is being held in conjunction with the 10th International Colloquium for Paratuberculosis (ICP).

This marks the first time that the ICP has met in the United States. The ICP brings together Johne’s researchers from around the world to discuss results of their current work and share information on Johne’s programs in their countries. Workshop participants are encouraged to attend the ICP opening session and reception on Sunday August 9, which will feature a discussion on the possible role of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis as a public health threat. Presenters for the session, which is expected to draw medical scientists, researchers, and decision makers in addition to the Johne’s researchers, are Tim Bull and Herb Van Kruiningen.

Please visit http://www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/icp/home.html for registration and further meeting information.