policy
UNDER REVIEWPregnant sow housing
Pregnant sows are kept in a variety of housing systems. View the AVMA's recommendations for sow housing and management systems.
Comparison of cage and non-cage systems for housing laying hens
When looking at how different housing systems protect the welfare of laying hens, it's important to consider the various trade-offs inherent to every…
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Snapshots
Dr. M. Gatz Riddell (standing), executive vice president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and Dr. Tom Burkgren (left),
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A bucking-bull veterinarian in the making
When Dr. Gary D. Warner asked his daughter Kelly why she wanted to be a large animal veterinarian over anything anything else, he wasn’t necessarily…
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The bovine athlete
Bull riding has emerged from the world of rodeo over the past two decades as a multimillion-dollar sport followed by millions of fans.
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Production practices not justified by productivity
Dr. Jennifer Walker said public trust in farmers can be supported by, but not based on, science and economics.
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Genetics and analgesics added to castration, dehorning policy
The AVMA Executive Board approved revisions to the AVMA policy on cattle castration and dehorning that account for genetic
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Devocalization as a final alternative
AVMA Delegates pass resolutions on devocalization, VCPR, livestock handling
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Pressure from above
Animal welfare is improving as buyers pressure suppliers to meet standards and to participate in audit and education programs.
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Transport policy for hoofstock approved
The AVMA Executive Board approved a new policy, “Transport, Sale Yard Practices, and Humane Slaughter of Hoofstock and Poultry,”
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Board acts to remove hurdles to AVMA membership
The AVMA Executive Board met Aug. 27-28 to take up an agenda dealing with such issues as AVMA membership requirements, livestock traceability and…
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Cattle drug’s sales suspended after lameness reports
A drug company suspended sales in the U.S. and Canada of a beta-adrenoceptor agonist used to add dozens of pounds of muscle to cattle.
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AHA certification covers nearly 1 billion farm animals
The number of animals living on farms certified by the American Humane Association Certified program quintupled in 14 months.
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Gaining weight
Pre-slaughter weights of livestock species have been increasing since at least the 1920s, and some of the largest gains have occurred in the past 25…
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AVMA issues guidance on humane slaughter
The AVMA will soon release the second in a three-part series of recommendations for killing animals humanely.
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Board acts on research, grievance resolution, residues
The AVMA Board of Directors, while meeting Nov. 20-22, 2014, approved a few new policies, rescinded some that were no longer, and reaffirmed or…
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USDA may require euthanasia of downed veal calves
Veal calves that become nonambulatory at slaughter plants would need to be euthanized, rather than resting and proceeding to slaughter, under a…
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Evolution in cattle welfare
Veterinarians and cattle owners indicated gradual changes in agriculture are improving cattle welfare, despite resistance to change among some…
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Editing Animals
Recent gene-editing technologies are being used to create mice that model human genetic diseases, Holstein cattle lacking horns, and current research…
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Board takes on topics across breadth of profession
The AVMA Board of Directors, while meeting June 20-21 in Washington, D.C., took on topics across the breadth of the profession, including improvement…
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AVMA providing guidance on handling of pet remains
The AVMA has adopted a policy and is creating educational materials to provide guidance to veterinarians on the handling of companion animal remains.
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Pain control approved in a food animal
A topical NSAID is the first drug approved for use in cattle to control pain associated with foot rot and fever associated with bovine respiratory…
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AVMA recognizes excellence in veterinary medicine
During AVMA Convention 2017 this July in Indianapolis, the AVMA bestowed awards to recognize excellence in veterinary medicine.
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Animal handling, through an animal's eyes
"It's only recently that we've started thinking of animal handling from the animal's perspective," said Dr. Kersti Seksel, an Australian veterinary…
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USDA cancels organic welfare rules
Federal agriculture authorities canceled pending rules that would have expanded animal welfare rules in organic production.