AVMA: Supporting food animal veterinarians every day
In this article:
- Discover how the AVMA supports food animal veterinarians and practices.
- Find practical tools to use in your food animal practice.
- Learn how the AVMA's advocacy advances food animal medicine.
Join the AVMA
As a member, you support the AVMA’s work on behalf of food animal veterinarians at the state, national, and international levels.
Food animal veterinarians are important and valued members of the AVMA. The Association recognizes and champions the vital role of food animal practitioners, who care for our nation’s livestock and safeguard our food supply.
Leveraging the full strength of our large and diverse membership, the AVMA builds support for public policy measures that support food animal practitioners, and proudly provides tools and resources that enhance your daily practice. Strong partnerships with allied groups like the American Association of Avian Pathologists, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians ensure that we’re able to align, speak with a united voice, and make real progress on issues that matter.
Tools that support you every day
Clinical research that informs patient care
Advocacy that advances your priorities
HPAI: AVMA in action
The AVMA understands the serious risk posed by avian influenza and the importance of preventing its spread. In addition to working with government officials to implement science-based policy measures, we provide materials to educate the public and veterinary teams alike. And when highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in U.S. dairy cattle in Spring 2024, the AVMA mobilized. The AVMA worked collaboratively with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners to support a coordinated veterinary response. Leveraging strong working relationships with policymakers and the media, AVMA's work helps ensure the voices of bovine and poultry veterinarians are heard.
On-demand CE
Head over to AVMA Axon® for on-demand learning that fits your busy schedule. Here are some courses that may be of particular interest to food animal practitioners:
- Understand AVMA's humane slaughter guidelines, 2024 edition
- Euthanasia: Carbon dioxide and on-farm methods
- AVMA's Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals
- Psychological impacts of depopulation in crises
- Preventing epidemics and pandemics: Lessons learned
- Biosecurity intervention: Swine industry model
- Transboundary animal diseases: Beyond the zoonoses
- Coop scoop: Maintaining backyard poultry health
- Neurologic diseases in small ruminants
- Certificate program: Business continuity in disasters
Listen on the go
AVMA podcasts deliver insights and clinical learning you’ll use and enjoy. Check out these recent episodes.
Veterinary Vertex
- Ultrasonographic diagnosis of femoral fractures in large animals
- Dairy production sustainability
- African swine fever virus: What every veterinarian should know
My Veterinary Life
AVMA advocacy: Supporting food animal practitioners
The AVMA's Congressional Advocacy Network (AVMA CAN) mobilizes grass-roots advocates—veterinary professionals and animal owners alike—to generate support for legislation that helps veterinarians and our patients.
Help increase access to veterinary care in rural shortage areas
Help increase access to veterinary care in rural shortage areas by passing the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act (H.R. 4355/S.2829).
Combat illegal xylazine while protecting veterinary access
The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would help curtail the emerging public health threat posed by illicit xylazine while preserving veterinary access to this important animal sedative.