Unique educational methods to improve the veterinary employment selection process for rural mixed-animal practices

The rural mixed-animal veterinarian is a critical control point for safe, wholesome, affordable food production and security. The population of students entering food-animal practice is decreasing, and future shortages are likely. Veterinary practice owners will continue to struggle to find associates to fill open positions. Identifying and hiring the correct veterinarian for an open position is a challenging proposition for the rural practitioner. Kansas State University hosted a forum to facilitate the hiring process and provide education regarding the mechanism of an effective selection interview. A unique experiential technique known as "speed interviews" was used to facilitate communication between conference participants and to practice newly acquired skills. A survey of participants revealed similar viewpoints toward most job attributes. Veterinary students and prospective employers expressed realistic expectations of job requirements, salaries, and debt load. Students expressed willingness to work and desire to practice in the types of practices defined by the veterinarians. The symposium provided valuable insight for practitioners and students regarding the recruitment process. Appropriate and accurate representation at the time of job/associate selection is critical for long-term success and employee retention. The goal of the event was to provide a service to both prospective employers and students by offering education regarding the employment selection interview process and placing attendees in an environment rich with people who have complimentary goals.     

Cardioprotective effect of 'Marutham' a polyherbal formulation on isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in Wistar rats

Myocardial infarction is the number one killer disease in many parts of the world. The cardioprotective effect of Marutham, a polyherbal formulation on serum and heart tissue lipids, serum lipoproteins and heart membrane bound enzymes in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction was studied in Wistar rats. Pretreatment with Marutham at different doses of 30, 60 and 90 mg kg(-1) to isoproterenol treated rats significantly prevented the altered lipid profile and membrane bound enzymes to near normal status. The results of our study showed the cardioprotective potential of Marutham on isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in rats.     

Genetic analysis for growth traits of prolific Garole × Malpura (GM) sheep

The FecB gene of Garole sheep was introgressed into non-prolific Malpura sheep to evolve a new prolific sheep strain Garole × Malpura (GM), suitable for semi-arid conditions. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of breeding program on production profile of GM sheep and to estimate the genetic parameters for growth traits of GM sheep. Overall prolificacy increased significantly in the new strain as compared to the native Malpura sheep. In the GM flock of F2 and F2 onwards generation 35.31% single, 55.83% twins, 8.16% triplet and 0.70% quadruplets were obtained during lambing. Over the years, prolificacy in the flock has increased significantly. Over all least squares means for birth weight, 3, 6, 9, 12 month weight, pre-weaning gain (ADG1) and post-weaning gain (ADG2) were 1.82 ± 0.03, 9.44 ± 0.18, 14.00 ± 0.24, 16.56 ± 0.33, and 19.32 ± 0.35 kg, and 84.08 ± 1.84 and 35.19 ± 0.99 g, respectively. Majority of the fixed effects had significant influence on the performance traits. The heritability estimates for birth, 3, 6, 9, 12 month weight, ADG1 and ADG2 were 0.30 ± 0.11, 0.22 ± 0.09, 0.23 ± 0.10, 0.27 ± 0.10, 0.30 ± 0.11, 0.17 ± 0.08, and 0.17 ± 0.10, respectively. Modest rate of genetic progress seems possible for these traits under selection. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among different body weights were moderate to high and positive. The genetic correlation of pre and post-weaning daily gains with body weight traits were also high and positive.     

Sulphur in air and soil

Natural S supplies are insufficient for high crop yields. The S brought down by rain is limited, even in industrial areas, and much of it is lost in drainage. Additional supplies are needed either as fertilizers or as SO₂, which vegetation readily absorbs. The margin between the minimum SO₂ concentration for full growth and the concentration at which damage occurs is wide enough for distribution via the air, without deleterious effects, of such S as is available from the combustion of fuels.     

Effect of feed and(or) water deprivation prior to weaning on reproductive performance of sows: a cooperative study

A total of 292 sows, at three experimental stations (Auburn, Texas A&M, Texas Tech), was used to determine the effects of depriving sows of feed and(or) water before weaning on reproductive performance. The four treatments were arranged as a 2 X 2 factorial to evaluate two periods of feed deprivation (0 and 48 h) and two periods of water deprivation (0 and 24 h) before weaning. Sows were allowed to consume feed ad libitum during lactation, and were fed 1.8 kg/d during the weaning to breeding interval. Only sows nursing six or more pigs at weaning were used. Pigs were weaned at approximately 42 d at Auburn and 28 d at Texas A&M and Texas Tech. Treatment responses were similar at each station with no evidence of a station X treatment interaction for any of the traits (P greater than .10). During the 48-h treatment period, sows receiving feed and water ad libitum lost 1 kg compared with weight losses of 16 kg for sows deprived of feed for 48 h, 13 kg for sows deprived of water for 24 h, and 17 kg for sows deprived of feed for 48 h and water for 24 h. Weight losses for sows deprived of water only, may have partially resulted from reduced feed intake during the 24-h treatment period; however, feed intake during this period was not measured. At breeding, sows deprived of feed and(or) water maintained their greater weight losses, suggesting that some tissue loss occurred during the 48- or 24-h treatment periods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)