So, as I noodled over this first message, I asked myself “What are the top challenges for the swine industry and the AASV membership in 2024?” This is also a similar question posed to the AASV Program Planning Committee for our Annual Meeting, but that question was “With the challenges in front of the swine industry and AASV, how do we lead AASV into the future?” Not being averse to the use of technology, I decided to pose my question to ChatGPT. These are the top six challenges that the AI chatbot provided:
- Disease management: The ongoing challenge of swine diseases and the need for effective biosecurity, vaccination strategies, and diagnostics.
- Sustainability: Addressing environmental concerns and promoting sustainable practices, such as efficient resource utilization, waste management, and maintenance of healthy animals that consume the resources.
- Antibiotic stewardship: Continuing efforts to ensure responsible use of antibiotics in swine production to prevent the development of antimicrobial resistance.
- Consumer demands: Addressing changing consumer preferences and demands for animal welfare, transparency, and food safety.
- Economic factors: Navigating market volatility, trade policies, and other economic factors that may affect the profitability and sustainability of the swine industry.
- Workforce development: Encouraging education, training, and attracting young professionals to the field of swine veterinary medicine.
You may receive this issue of the journal before the 2024 Annual Meeting, so I hope to entice you to attend sessions that address the challenges identified above – and there are many! However, if you are reading this message after the Annual Meeting, please take the time to review the proceedings papers and start a conversation with the presenters.
Looking at the preconference seminars, you will see that they cover all the challenges identified by the AI chatbot. Specifically, the seminars cover Big Diagnostic Data, Disease Preparedness, Mastering the Art of Swine Business, Pig Livability, Biosecurity, Influenza, Health through Nutrition, and Swine Medicine for Students.
The highlight for me is the Monday morning general session; I will declare my bias as the program chair. The Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture and the Alex Hogg Memorial Lecture, given by Dr Joel Nerem and Dr Chris Rademacher, respectively, highlight the opportunities AASV and swine veterinarians face. Dr Nerem outlines the challenges with the statement “When in doubt, do what is right for 1) the pig, 2) the farmer, and 3) the consumer.” He challenges us to be a next generation veterinarian and to practice next generation veterinary medicine. Dr Rademacher honors Dr Alex Hogg with his evaluation of the future of veterinary students and swine education. Further, he shines a light on the tools of the future for veterinary practitioners. The challenge presented by Dr Rademacher is to be open to taking a different mindset and way of thinking to propel swine veterinary practice into the future.
The remainder of Monday morning focuses on disease management and elimination. Taglines from each of the speaker’s presentations include:
- “Generals always prepare to fight the last war – especially if they won.” - Dr Jeff Zimmerman
- “The only thing that is holding us back from moving forward (with Mycoplasma elimination) on a regional and even a national program is the political will to make it happen.” - Dr Paul Yeske
- “How does the industry structure, sustainability, and mindset about the future play out regarding PRRSV? Is the industry in automatic response mode or will it take on the challenge of eliminating this pathogen from our US herds?” - Dr Amy Maschhoff
- “What can we do to not become another zombie apocalypse cliché? We need to 1) know the threats, 2) know our strengths, 3) know our weaknesses and have the fortitude to address them, 4) don’t be complacent, and 5) be prepared.” - Dr Luc Defresne
The entirety of the concurrent sessions encompasses and expands on the challenges and opportunities we have as swine veterinarians and AASV members. From poster sessions, student seminars, industrial partners sessions, the Disease Elimination session, the Sustaining the Farm session, to the Immunology Toolbox, there is a wealth of information to be gained. Each of the 6 ChatGPT challenges are addressed throughout the AASV Annual Meeting. This holds true for the Tuesday general session that you should not miss. The session will focus on driving demand and protecting the product; what role you play and how you should be involved.
Did I need to use ChatGPT to identify the challenges for AASV and the swine industry? No. With the circle of friends and colleagues that are the AASV, I could have just as easily surveyed a small number to come up with a list of challenges. This brings up the best part of being a member of AASV – the friends, mentors, and supporters that you gain throughout the years. The networking that occurs during hallway talk, the student reception event, and the awards reception is the best value of a lifetime. I am excited to see you there to expand our friendships, gain valuable knowledge, and “Lead AASV into the Future.”
Angela Baysinger, DVM, MSc
AASV President-elect