ADSA TODAY

The Online Newsletter of the American Dairy Science Association January, 2001

January News, Notes, and Updates

This issue of ADSA Today will focus almost exclusively on year-end news items from the Dairy/Animal Science world. Watch the February issue for important annual meeting updates and a note from ADSA President Dave Schingoethe.

It's not too late to...

Renew Your Support for ADSA!

click the button to renew!

As ADSA gears up to provide the benefits and services members need in a digital age, there is one constant: our organization cannot succeed without members' on-going support. This year, we are proud to report that there is no increase in membership dues even as services continue to expand. Here is a list of the benefits you will be eligible to take advantage of in 2001 if you renew before the end of this year:

	An online subscription to the Journal of Dairy Science, including a special online symposium issue that includes papers from the 2000 joint annual meeting that will be released throughout the year ahead. Members are also eligible to subscribe to the paper version of JDS for only $50 (plus postage outside the US), or to purchase a CD archive, complete with search engine, covering every issue published between 1995 and 2000.
	Monthly issues of ADSA Today, our online newsletter.
	Early notice of abstract submission opportunities for the historic ADSA/ASAS/PSA/AMSA joint annual meeting in Indianapolis. Members will also save at least $110 on registration fees for this unique conference.
	Opportunities to attend two ADSA Discover Conferences tentatively planned for 2001 (one with a dairy production emphasis and one with a dairy foods emphasis).
	Access to publications released by ADSA, including those in the Scientific Reader Series. At least two new volumes are planned for 2001.
	Eligibility to participate in the ADSA Member Talent Pool Database. Scheduled to be launched at the beginning of 2001, this talent pool will give members a chance to enter information about their abilities, experience, and interest in various types of jobs and volunteer opportunities. It will be shared with sustaining member companies looking for the most qualified experts to consult with or hire.
	Perhaps the most important benefit of all...the opportunity to broaden your network of professional contacts and shape the future of dairy science research through active participation in ADSA. As we approach our 100th anniversary in 2006, we can take pride in the seminal role our members have played in the research and technical advances that have revolutionized an industry. In collaboration with other ADSA member scientists, you can be at the forefront of the next generation of researchers whose work will improve the quality of life of dairy consumers and producers in the twenty first century.

It is easy to renew your membership. Just click on the renewal button above to take care of it electronically (click on the membership level and services you want in our online store), return the renewal invoice you should have received in the mail in October, or fill out the online membership form, print it, and mail or fax it back to the headquarters office with your dues payment. Remember, if you ever have a question about your membership service or an unmet need that ADSA can address, please do not hesitate to call (217-356-2426) or email (adsa@assochq.org) the headquarters office for help. Thanks for your continued trust and support!

How are our DASEES Growing?

DASEE (pronounced: Daisy) is an acronym for Dairy and Animal Science Electronic Executive Summaries. They are a product of a collaboration between ADSA and ASAS to provide timely, useful, information to knowledgeable professionals working in industries related to animal agriculture. Each DASEE focuses on a topic of current interest in one of six interest areas: dairy foods, dairy production, large animal health, large animal nutrition, beef production, and swine production. As each DASEE is released, subscribers will receive an email message outlining the contents with "click-through" links to the DASEE web site. Currently, pilot issues are being produced, and anyone is invited to subscribe at no cost for the remainder of 2000 (if successful, this will be launched as a paid subscription service in early 2001).

Take a look at a sample DASEEs on dairy production, foods, large animal nutrition, health, beef production, or swine production by clicking here If you would like a free pilot subscription to this service, send an email to Kent Williamson (kentw@assochq.org) indicating which editions you want to receive (dairy foods, dairy production, large animal health, large animal nutrition, beef production, or swine production). Feel free to offer suggestions for "focus topics" in future issues or other ideas to improve this new service. We really need your suggestions to ensure that members and readers working in industry get the information they need.

Call for ADSA Awards Nominees

Every ADSA member is eligible to nominate a colleague for one of the awards presented annually at the annual meeting. This year, all nominations are being accepted electronically. With more than 30 award winners annually, we need members who are willing to invest the time needed to put forward names of deserving colleagues and document their nominations. There are several documents you can consult to help you. For general guidelines for principal nominators, click here. For overall awards program policies and guidelines, click here. And when you are ready to nominate colleagues for ADSA awards online (after November 1, 2000) click here. Thanks for supporting those in our professional community who have earned the recognition of their peers.

News/Grants/Meeting Schedule/

Federal Funding of Research, Development and Education - The National Science Foundation Issues Three Reports in its "Statistical Report on US Science," Titled: "Federal Funds for Research and Development: Federal Obligations for Research by Agency and Detailed Field of Science and Education: Fiscal Years 1951-2000;" "Federal Funds for Research and Development: Federal Obligations for Research to Universities and Colleges by Agency and Detailed Field of Science and Education: Fiscal Years 1973-2000;" and "Federal Funds for Research and Development: Detailed Historical Tables: Fiscal Years 1951-2000" - The reports are posted at http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/nsf01306/htmstart.htm - http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf01307 - and http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf01308

Cattle and Swine Genetic Makeup Reportedly Deciphered by USDA Agricultural Research Service Scientists, according to a January 4 ARS News Release, which notes that " ... Agricultural Research Service
scientists have completed a pilot project to decipher segments of cattle
and swine genes, paving the way for technologies that will help livestock
breeders quickly and accurately identify animals with superior qualities.
The research also may advance biomedicine. The scientists at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) deciphered sequence information on 80,000 DNA segments called expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from cattle and 40,000 from swine. All this information now is accessible through the databases at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), from where researchers worldwide can access the data for research in medicine as well as animal science. ...

The MARC scientists produced clonal "libraries" of expressed genes from a variety of tissues important to livestock growth, composition, reproduction, animal health and food safety. These libraries will soon be made available to other researchers through the BACPAC Resources Center at the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, Calif. The cattle and swine ESTs, which the ARS scientists deciphered, in essence represent significant parts of genes that determine the proteins produced by certain tissues such as muscle, ovary and hormone-producing glands. Each of many genes may have a small impact on an inherited trait, but when added together they may have great economic importance for the livestock industry. For that reason, ARS scientists and genomics companies are working together under Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) and Specific Cooperative Agreements to develop technologies such as microarrays. Also called gene chips, microarrays can be used to monitor activity of thousands of genes in a single experiment." - ARS Contact: Timothy Smith, ARS Roman L. Hruska U.S.
Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska at (402) 762-4366; fax (402) 762-4390; e-mail: smith@email.marc.usda.gov - A copy of the complete ARS January 4 News Release should be posted soon at the following ARS www site: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/

US Standards for Grades of Nonfat Dry Milk (Spray Process), Instant Nonfat Dry Milk, and Dry Buttermilk and Dry Buttermilk Products - USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Announces the Availability of Revisions the Grade Standards which " ... reduce the Standard Plate Count (bacterial estimates) for U.S. Extra Grade nonfat dry milk (spray process) and instant nonfat dry milk to a maximum of 10,000 per gram for U.S. Extra Grade dry buttermilk and dry buttermilk product to a maximum of 20,0000 per gram, and for U.S. Standard Grade dry buttermilk and dry buttermilk product to a maximum of 75,000 per gram." - Effective February 2 - An electronic copy of the revised standard is posted at http://www.ams.usda.gov/dairy/stand.htm - AMS Contact: Duane Spomer at (202) 720-7473 - AMS January 3 Federal Register:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2001_register&docid=01-93-filed

Ten Food Companies Cited for Failure to Report the Presence of Hazardous Substances Located at their Facilities and Released to the Environment - In a December 15 News Release EPA noted that "Ten cheese companies have corrected 264 environmental violations under EPA's Audit Policy, which allows the Agency to reduce or eliminate penalties when companies voluntarily audit, promptly disclose and correct violations. The Agency waived 100 percent of potential gravity-based penalties in return for the companies' voluntary disclosure of violations and speedy return to compliance. The companies are Dairy Farmers of America, Suprema Specialties Northeast, Inc., Wyeth Nutritionals, Inc., H.P. Hood, Inc., Friendship Dairies, Inc., First District Association, Great Lakes Cheese of New York, Inc., McCadam Cheese Company, Inc., Milnot Company and Saputo Cheese USA Inc. The 264 violations occurred at 32 facilities in 11 states. All of the companies self disclosed violations of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act which requires manufacturers to report, for inclusion in the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), releases of more than 600 designated chemicals to the environment. The TRI (accessible at http://www.epa.gov/tri ) provides for each community vital information about toxic chemicals being used, manufactured, treated, transported, or released into the environment. The 10 cheese companies failed to report the presence of water dissociable nitrate compounds, nitric acid and/or phosphoric acid at their facilities. In addition to EPCRA violations, Saputo Cheese USA Inc. reported and corrected violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) at 18 facilities. ... For more information, contact Beth Cavalier, Office of Regulatory Enforcement at (202) 564-3271." - Additional information on the Agency's Audit Policy is available at: http://www.epa.gov/oeca/ore/apolguid.html

Animal Feeding Operation Animal Waste Control Regulations Proposed by EPA - In a December 15 News Release EPA Announces that the Agency is " ... proposing strict new controls to protect public health and the environment from one of the nation's leading causes of water pollution -- animal wastes from large, industrial feedlot operations. ... The new requirements would apply to as many as 39,000 concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) across the country. Today, only an estimated 2,500 large and small livestock operations have enforceable permits under the Clean Water Act. A CAFO is currently defined as having 1,000 or more cattle or comparable "animal units" of other livestock. Smaller operations may also be CAFOs if they are a threat to water quality. EPA today is co-proposing two options for a new CAFO definition. One proposed definition could include livestock facilities with more than 500 cattle or other animal units. The other proposal would require operations with 300-1000 cattle to have a permit if they meet certain risk-based conditions. In addition to stricter permitting requirements, the proposal includes several new strict controls: 1) poultry, veal, and swine operations would be required to prevent all discharges from their waste storage pits and lagoons where wastes are collected; 2) the proposal eliminates potential exemptions from permits presently used in some states; as a result, EPA expects that all large livestock operations will now have to acquire permits; 3) under this proposal, EPA and the states will issue co-permits for corporations and contract growers to ensure financial resources exist to meet environmental requirements; 4) the spreading of manure on the land owned by livestock facilities would be limited to protect water ways. EPA will take public comment for 120 days and will hold public meetings around the country on today's proposal." - Additional information is available on EPA's Office of Water web site at: http://www.epa.gov/owm/afo.htm - The EPA December 15 News Release is posted at the following EPA www site:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/b1ab9f485b098972852562e7004dc686/274ed4f48827bcce852569b6006bac31?OpenDocument - Questions may be directed to the EPA CAFO Hotline at 202 564 0766.

Mandatory Livestock Price Reporting--The long awaited final rule on mandatory price reporting was released in December by USDA. The rule will require large cattle, swine and lamb packers and importers to provide contract information, including pricing, for public dissemination. The new rule will provide information on 80-90 percent of all cattle, boxed beef, slaughter hog, sheep, lamb meat and imported lamb meat transactions. AMS notes that the program is intended to provide information on pricing, contracting for purchase, and supply and demand conditions for livestock, livestock production, and livestock products, that can be readily understood by producers, packers, and other market participants - Effective January 30 - AMS Contact: John Van Dyke, Chief, Livestock and Grain Market News Branch at (202) 720-6231; fax (202) 690-3732; e-mail: john.vandyke@usda.gov or visit the following AMS www site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/price.htm

Hydrodynamic Pressure (HDP) Meat Tenderization Process Also Reduces Foodborne Pathogens, reports USDA Agricultural Research Scientists in a December 7 News Release, which notes that in the hydrodynamic pressure process " ... ARS scientists place meat in a container of water, then detonate a small amount of explosives that create a shock wave in the water. The shock wave tenderizes meat by severing the stringy striations that can make meat tough. ... Escherichia coli and other pathogens can live and grow in ground meat, causing illness if the meat is improperly handled. But concerns about meat being contaminated with dangerous pathogens may be relieved by HDP. Scientists conducted additional studies with a technologically superior mechanism to refine the process. Surprisingly, the advanced mechanism--a metal, thick-walled tank (called the mini-tank) imbedded in the ground--did not tenderize meat as well. But the scientists found an added benefit: There seemed to be fewer bacteria on the meat than before. Studies were conducted to determine the effect of HDP on naturally occurring spoilage or shelf-life bacteria found in ground beef. The studies showed a "three-log" reduction in shelf-life bacteria. This would be similar to reducing 30,000 colony-forming units (cfu's) to 30 cfu's. A five-log reduction is the "gold standard" for bacterial reduction, so studies are ongoing to further reduce bacterial levels. ... HDP seems to inactivate most meat pathogens, such as E. coli. Further studies are necessary to determine if HDP can be put to practical use in a commercial setting." - ARS Contact: Morse Solomon, ARS Food Technology and Safety in Beltsville, Maryland at (301) 504-8463; fax: (301) 504-8438; e-mail: msolomon@lpsi.barc.usda.gov - The ARS news release is posted at the following www site: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2000/001207.htm

This collection of news items chronicles the BSE storm that has been brewing in Europe over the past several months...

The European Commission on November 29 Recommended Several New Proposals to the EU Agriculture Council, which will be meeting on December 4 - The Commission took this action in response to " ... the discovery of the first ever cases of BSE in both Germany and Spain; the question marks over the implementation of Community safety laws on BSE in the Member States; the opinion of the Scientific Steering Committee of 28 November on the national measures recently introduced in the Member States and the collapse in consumer confidence in the safety of beef." - The proposals, if adopted as a rule, would establish a temporary ban on the feeding of meat and bone meal (MBM) to all farm animals; a requirement that all animals over 30 months are tested for BSE to enhance consumer confidence; a requirement that the current list of specified risk materials (SRMs), which must be removed and destroyed, should now also include the entire intestine of bovines of all ages; A "purchase for destruction" scheme to remove from the food chain all cattle aged over 30 months unless they have been tested for BSE to ensure additional guarantees and to rebalance the beef market; a flexible handling of public intervention to address the current drop in producer prices; and which would raise the advances paid for the beef premia from currently 60% to 80%, in order to take the financial pressure from beef producers - The European Commission also formally adopted a proposal to require the testing of all "at risk" animals from 1 January 2001, which will be extended to all animals aged over 30 months from 1 July 2001 - A copy of the complete EC November 29 News Release is posted at the following EC www site:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/health_consumer/library/press/press90_en.html

"Mad Cow" Disease in the European Union - European Union
Farm Ministers Reportedly, on December 4, approved a Six Month Ban on
Use of Animal Products in Fodder, according to a December 4 Associated
Press Story, with notes that " ... The ban is expected to cost $1.3
billion, but the ministers hope it will return confidence in the beef
industry. Fodder containing animal products is a key suspect in
spreading the disease from Britain four years ago into ever wider
swathes of the continent. The moves were approved by the 15 farm
ministers in an emergency session, despite misgivings by some
countries that the moves would be too costly." - A copy of the
complete AP story is posted at the following www site:
http://www.infobeat.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/IBFrontEnd.woa/wa/fullStory?article=405221229

New Post Mortem Diagnosis Tests for the Detection of BSE in Cattle - The European Union on December 5 announced the continuation of work on Five New Tests by the European Commission on tests for BSE and other transmissable spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) - The news release which was released on December 6 notes that " ... The tests were identified following a world-wide call for expressions of interest which closed on 30 September. .. An earlier evaluation, carried out last year, identified three tests which performed excellently and which were subsequently approved for use in the EU. Their use has led to the detection of higher incidences of BSE in France and to the first BSE-cases in Germany and Spain. The use of tests becomes mandatory on 1 January for at risk animals and from 1 July for all cows aged over 30 months slaughtered in the EU. ... Particular emphasis has been placed on the ability of tests to distinguish the various TSE diseases. ... An addition to the already approved CEA test (commercialised as the Biorad test), which may permit a distinction between BSE and scrapie, has also been retained for examination. ... The field work, which will be done in stages, has already commenced and will continue until late spring 2001. The evaluation of tests that might distinguish between BSE and scrapie will take longer and be more complex. ... The Commission is also preparing reference standards and will perform a ring trial of all laboratories in the EU using rapid tests. This is designed to evaluate the technical performance of the various laboratories that are carrying out surveillance tests in line with EU legislation." - A copy of the EU News Release is posted at the following www site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/health_consumer/library/press/press94_en.html

The European Commission to Adopt Financial Support Measures for the European Beef Industry - In a December 13 News Release, the European Commission Reported: " ... the Commission will now formally adopt the different support measures for the beef sector: The 'purchase for destruction' scheme, the modalities for public intervention and the increase of the advances for the beef premia. In a bid to restore consumer confidence in beef and to tackle oversupply on the EU beef market as a result of reduced consumption the Commission will decide to start the 'purchase for destruction scheme' for cattle older than 30 months, unless they tested BSE-negative, from 1 January 2001. ... The EU budget will co-fund the expenditure at a flat-rate of 70%. ... In order to ensure that the animals concerned are not used for human consumption, animal feed or medical products, the carcasses will have to be stained and separately stored. ... All the meat exports have to be BSE-tested. The scheme will now be formally adopted by the Commission. ... The so-called 'purchase for destruction scheme' applies from 1 January 2001 until 30 June 2001. ... Finland, Austria and Sweden, the EU countries with a low BSE-risk, may allow the slaughtering of cattle over 30 months old for human consumption without BSE-testing for their NATIONAL market, if they wish to do so. This meat has to be marked with a special national stamp. ... Only tested meat can be exported carrying the normal oval EU-stamp. ... The 'purchase for destruction scheme' does not apply to the United Kingdom which already has an EU co-funded Over-Thirty-Month-Scheme in place, under which all slaughtered animals over 30 month sold have to be destroyed." - The complete European Union news release is posted at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/health_consumer/library/press/press96_en.html

The European Commission Issues an opinion on the Evolution of the Epidemic of BSE in Great Britain - The opinion addresses the following questions: How does the SSC assess the current and now-expected (2000 - 2002) evolution of the number of BSE cases (epidemic) in GB? Is the current number of cases in line with current scientific expectations? Is the current number of GB's BSE cases in line with previous scientific expectations? In addition, and also in the light of the recent discovery of a first BSE case born after the so-called "real feed ban of 1 August 1996" (BARB), the SSC addressed the following questions:
Have BSE cases fallen off at a similar rate in Scotland, England and Wales? How can the monitoring of projections be improved? How should BSE cases born after 1 August 1996 be investigated? and What purposes does PrP(res) surveillance in sentinel groups of slaughtered bovines serve in GB and in EU? - A copy of the opinion is posted at the following www site:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/ssc/out152_en.html with a supporting document at:http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/ssc/out153_en.pdf

Germany asked by the European Commission's Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner, David Byrne to Withdraw " ... products containing potentially dangerous materials from all EU and third country markets" - He made particular reference to the voluntary recall of food products produced before 1 October 2000 containing mechanically recovered meat - According a European Commission December 22 News Release: "The Commission also required confirmation that any meat products which are identified by the German authorities as
potentially containing materials which are a risk to health are urgently
withdrawn from circulation not only in the Federal Republic but in
export markets." - A copy of the EC News Release is posted at:
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=MEMO/00/130|0|RAPID&lg=EN

FDA/Pharmaceutical News and Announcements

Veterinary Drugs Used in Animal Feed - FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine Issues a Final Rule amending the Agency's new animal drug regulations to implement the veterinary feed directive (VFD) drugs section of the Animal Drug Availability Act of 1996 (ADAA) - CVM notes that " ... A VFD drug is intended for use in animal feed. Its use is permitted only under the professional supervision of a licensed veterinarian in the course of the veterinarian's professional practice. This new regulation states the requirements for distribution and use of a VFD drug and animal feed containing a VFD drug." - Effective January 8 - CVM Contact: George Graber at 301-827-6651; e-mail: ggraber@cvm.fda.gov - FDA December 8 Federal Register:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2000_register&docid=00-31151-filed

Moxidectin, an Animal Drug - FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine Issues a Final Rule which Updates the Agency's Animal Drug Regulations to correctly reflect the tolerance for moxidectin in cow's milk and which makes changes to the format of the rule - CVM Contact: Janis Messenheimer at 301-827-7578 - FDA December 8 Federal Register:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2000_register&docid=00-31248-filed

Trenbolone and Estradiol, Ivy Laboratories Animal Drugs - FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine Issues a Final Rule is amending the animal drug regulations to reflect approval of an Ivy supplemental abbreviated new animal drug application which provides for adding tylosin tartrate as a local antibacterial to an approved subcutaneous cattle ear implant containing trenbolone and estradiol used in pasture cattle for increased rate of weight gain - Effective November 27 - FDA CVM Contact: Daniel Benz at 301-827-0223 - FDA November 27 Federal Register:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2000_register&docid=00-30049-filed

Leadership, Grant, and Donation Announcements

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE (AAAS), PROGRAM ON EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA, INTERNATIONAL DIVISION announces

WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE COLLABORATION (WISC) PROGRAM 2001 - 2002

OVERVIEW

The Women's International Science Collaboration (WISC) Program is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and administered by the Program on Europe and Central Asia of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Because the application rate of women scientists and engineers to the Central and Eastern Europe Program of the Division of International Programs has been disproportionately low, the goal of this Program is to increase the participation of women as PIs and co-PIs in international research projects. This program provides grants to individual US scientists who plan to establish new research partnerships with their colleagues in Central/Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union (NIS).

The grant, up to $4,000, will provide travel and living support for the
US woman scientist and, when appropriate, an additional grant of $4,000 to her American male or female co-PI. Each scientist will be responsible for arranging accommodations. The grant does not cover salary or institutional expenses (e.g. overhead). US scientists can spend up to four weeks in the partner country to develop a research program and design. Expenses can also be used to cover material and supplies needed during the stay. Where excess funds exist and with the approval of AAAS administrators, grants funds can also be used to support a second visit to the partner country or for a foreign partner to travel to the US when such a visit is deemed necessary. The grants are not to be used for the sole purpose of attending conferences or workshops or teaching or training. The program will be administered by AAAS. The grantee's home institution will be responsible for overseeing the grantee's adherence to NSF and federal guidelines regarding administration of the grant.

For full grant details, click here

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces its new Animal Husbandry Fellowship Program.

PROGRAM: Animal Husbandry Fellows will spend up to one year at NRCS' Animal Husbandry and Clean Water Programs Division office, Beltsville, Maryland beginning in June 2001. Fellows will be provided a unique learning experience in the natural resource conservation policy-making arena. They will interact with staff across USDA, other Federal agencies, universities and colleges, and agricultural and scientific associations.

PURPOSE: This Fellowship Program is designed to provide NRCS with scientific and technical expertise in animal husbandry and to provide experts in this field with significant public policy experience. It is designed to increase the contact of experts who have in-depth, cutting-edge knowledge of feed management with policy-makers at the Federal level. Those selected to participate in this program will be expected to give advice to and participate with Federal policy-makers on a broad spectrum of activities.

DUTIES: This program is being established to provide NRCS with additional expertise at a critical time in addressing animal nutrition and feed management issues and how they affect the environmental impacts of animal feeding operations. The duties of the Fellow during the Fellowship period primarily will involve the key areas of policy and strategy development; assessment of agency training and technical reference material needs, and guidance in their development; technology transfer and institutionalization of effective feed management science and technology practices; developing and sustaining appropriate partnerships; and, identification and prioritization of feed management research and technology needs.

CRITERIA: Applicants must provide evidence of both academic achievement and exceptional knowledge, skills, and abilities in the area of animal nutrition, particularly feed management of ruminants or non-ruminants; have a strong technical and scientific background; and have a strong interest in transferring that expertise to the Federal workplace. In addition to providing evidence of significant achievements in the field of animal nutrition and feed management, applicants must provide evidence that they possess effective leadership competencies including initiative, flexibility, creative thinking, strong interpersonal skills, and be an effective communicator (both orally and in writing).

ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be employed by a public institution such as a Federal or State agency, college, or university, both at the time of application and, if selected, throughout the length of the Fellowship.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The Fellow's employing agency or organization will be expected to continue all of his/her benefits. NRCS will pay on-the-job travel expenses. Payment of salary and living expenses will be negotiated between NRCS and the employing agency or organization. Up to two Fellows will be selected for a maximum period of one year under this program. Arrangements agreed to by NRCS and the Fellow's employing public institution will be effectuated through a cooperative agreement.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please respond in writing to each of the criteria listed above and include this with your resume and letter of interest. To be considered, all applications must be received at USDA NRCS, Animal Husbandry and Clean Water Programs Division, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mail Stop 5473, Beltsville, MD 20705-2000 no later than February 28, 2001. For more information about this Fellowship opportunity, please contact Thomas Christensen, Director, Animal Husbandry and Clean Water Programs Division, NRCS, Beltsville, MD at (301) 504-2198 or (301) 504 2196.

NRCS is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, political beliefs, familial status or any other non-merit reas

USDA Donation of Excess Research Equipment - USDA Office of
Procurement and Property Management Issues a Final Rule which takes effect on December 21 that amends the Agency's procedures for the donation of excess research equipment for technical and scientific education and research activities to educational institutions and nonprofit
organizations - USDA notes that the amendment expands the list of entities
eligible to receive such equipment, establishes a priority list for
eligible entities seeking transfer of such equipment, and clarifies
administrative rules regarding equipment transfer - USDA Contact: Kathy
Fay at 202-720-9779 - USDA November 21 Federal Register:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2000_register&docid=00-29783-filed

FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) Seeks Nominations of Individuals to Serve on the following Center Advisory Committees: Allergenic Products Advisory Committee, Biological Response Modifiers Advisory Committee, Blood Products Advisory Committee, Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Advisory Committee, and the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee - CBER notes that no cutoff date is established for the receipt of nominations; however, when possible, nominations should be received at least 6 months before the date of scheduled vacancies for each year, as indicated in the Agency's November 20 Federal Register notice - CBER Contacts: Regarding nominations, except for consumer representatives: Nancy Cherry, Scientific Advisors and Consultants Staff at 301-827-0314; Regarding nominations for consumer representatives: Maureen Hess, Office of Consumer Affairs at 301-827-4421 - FDA November 20 Federal Register:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2000_register&docid=00-29536-filed

USDA Hosted Public Meetings

USDA Ag Outlook Forum Set for February 22 - 23 in Arlington, Virginia - Topics to be addressed include: discussion of the next Farm Bill, a keynote address by the Secretary of Agriculture; Agriculture's Role in World Trade Organization Negotiations; an Outlook for Retail Food Prices in 2001; Effects on Farmer Bottom Line of Tax and Economic Policies; discussion of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000; Impacts of Regional Trading Blocks on US Agriculture; Sustainable Rural Development Issues; Electronic Markets for Inputs and Commodities; Small Farm Survival Issues; Efforts to Reduce Foodborne Illnesses; Value Added Livestock and Poultry Initiatives; Outlook Sessions on Grains and Oilseeds, Cotton, Milk and Dairy Products, Livestock and Poultry, Sugars and Sweeteners; Water Quality Issues, including Animal Waste Control Technologies and Nutrient Management Plans; Air Quality Issues in Animal Production, and Burning of Agricultural Crops; Greenhouse Gas Emission Issues; International Food Safety Sanitary and Phytosanitary Trade Issues; the Role of the Precautionary Principle; Bioproducts and Environmental Markets; Energy Production from Wood or Grassy Plants; Emerging Markets and Trade Practices for Fruits and Vegetables; and Tobacco Issues - Registration is required at http://www.usda.gov/oce/waob/agforum.htm or by calling 202-314-3451 - Questions may directed to the USDA Ag Outlook Forum Staff at 202-720-3050; e-mail: agforum@oce.usda.gov

APHIS Meeting Announcement USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Announces that the Agency will conduct a public meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 10 and 11, 2001 at the Iowa State Center, Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa - The purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for the exchange of information between APHIS representatives, producers and users of veterinary biological products, and other interested individuals - The Agency is in the process of planning the agenda for the tenth annual meeting and is seeking suggestions for additional meeting topics from the interested public.- Topics that have been suggested include: (1) Labeling; (2) duration of immunity/efficacy; (3) delivery systems; (4) risk assessment; (5) target animal safety; (6) animal care; and (7) international harmonization - APHIS is inviting individuals to use this meeting to present their ideas and suggestions concerning the licensing, manufacturing, testing, and distribution of veterinary biologics - Meeting Contacts: Dr. Richard Hill, Center for Veterinary Biologics, Veterinary Services, APHIS in Ames, Iowa at (515) 232-5785; fax: (515) 232-7120; e-mail: CVB@usda.gov - For registration information, contact APHIS' Kathy Clark at (515) 232-5785 extension 128; e-mail: Kathryn.K.Clark@usda.gov - APHIS November 20 Federal Register:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2000_register&docid=00-29614-filed

Professional Meeting Calandar

ADSA/ASAS/PSA/AMSA Joint Annual Meeting: July 24-28, 2001, Indianapolis, IN

Southern Branch: January 27-31, 2001, Fort Worth, TX
Midwestern Branch: March 19-21, 2001, Des Moines, IA
Northeast Branch: February 23 - 24, 2001, State College, PA

Click here for complete list of ADSA Future Annual Meetings

Plant & Animal Genome IX Conference January 13 - 17, 2001
Town & Country Convention Center San Diego, California Phone: 1-212-643-1750 (extension 20) Internet e-mail address: pag@scherago.com

IDFA Dairy Forum, Doral Golf Resort and Spa, January 21 - 24, 2001 Miami, FL; phone: 202-737-4332; web site: http://www.idfa.org

NRAES Conference on Milking Systems and Parlors: Planning and Managing for Quality Milk and Profitability, January 30 - February 1 Harrisburg, PA; Phone: 607-255-7654; web site: http://www.nraes.org

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Sets a February 21 - 23 Orlando, Florida Continuing Education Course on the topic: "Functional Foods: Continued Advances in the Hottest Topic in Food Science and Health" - To address food ingredients which are not essential
vitamins or minerals which are promoted for their disease prevention
properties - Session and individual addresses will be on the following
topics: What are Functional Foods; Industry Trends and Regulations;
Marketing; Botanicals; Dietary Fiber and Prebiotics; The Story of Soy and
Isoflavones; Phenols and Polyphenols; Antioxidants and Non-Nutrient
Antioxidants; Lycopene in Tomatoes; Breeding and Biotechnology for
Enhancement of Phytochemical Levels in Crop Plants; International
Perspectives and Examples; FDA Labeling Requirements; FTC Advertising
Requirements; among other topics - Registration and fee information is
available from IFT's Luci Landberg Continuing Education Program Manager
at 312 782 8424; e-mail: lalandberg@ift.org - The course director is
Dennis Gordon, Department of Cereal Science, North Dakota State
University, who may be reached at 701 231 9438; e-mail:
dennis_gordan@ndsu.nodak.edu

Chinese and Korean Whey Missions to U.S. Date: 2/25/01 - 3/2/01; These trade missions of product developers will attend CalPoly's 3rd Dry Milk and Whey Products Symposium and visit U.S. whey processing facilities. One-on-one meetings with the industry will be arranged in conjunction with the symposium. Location to be announced. USDEC members are cordially invited to schedule a consultation with mission participants. Contact: KimSu Small (ksmall@usdec.org)

Ice Cream Technology Conference, March 7 - 9, 2001 Doubletree la Posada Resort, Scottsdale, AZ; phone: 202-737-4332; web site: http://www.idfa.org

Dairy Manure Systems: Equipment and Technology Selection, A Conference for Producers and Their Advisors; March 20-22, 2001; Rochester Marriott Thruway
Rochester, New York; See our web site WWW.NRAES.ORG for additional information. Or request a brochure by phone (607) 255-7654, fax (607) 254-8770, or E-mail NRAES@CORNELL.EDU .

Food Safety Summit and Expo, April 17 - 18, 2001 Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, DC; 800-746-9646; web: http://www.foodsafetysummit.com

Animal Transportation Association 2001 Annual Conference, April 29-May 2, Toronto, Ontario, Canada http://www.npscmgmt.com/AATA/conference.htm

American Feed Industry Association Expo 2001, May 7-9, Indianapolis,
Indiana,USA http://www.afia.org/Events/Meeting_Programs.html

14th Annual J.R. Brunner Protein Symposium, May 24 - 25, 2001, Michigan State University, Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, East Lansing, MI phone: Dr. Zeynep Ustunol at 517-355-0285; email: ustunol@pilot.msu.edu

NIZO Dairy Conference on Food Microbes 2001 13-15 June 2001 Ede, The Netherlands website: http://www.elsevier.nl/locate/nizodairy2001
Contact: Sarah Wilkinson, NIZO Dairy Conference Secretariat Elsevier Science, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, UK

Tel: +44-1865-843691
Fax: +44-1865-843958
E-mail: sm.wilkinson@elsevier.co.uk

11th International Conference on Production Diseases in Farm Animals (11th ICPD), August 12-16, Copenhagen, Denmark http://www.11icpd.kvl.dk/

ADDRESSING ANIMAL PRODUCTION/ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: AN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM" October 3-5, 2001; Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Research Triangle Park, NC

This Symposium will involve several tracks as follows:
a. papers related to key issues being addressed by the National
     Center for Manure and Animal Waste Management;
b. papers related to issues of animal production and
     environmental issues not included in the Center program;
c. papers presenting the perspectives of the animal industries;
d. papers related specifically to issues of the Southeastern United
     States;
e. posters on all of the above in addition to presentations;
f. workshops and tours.

The official call for papers and/or posters will be sent very soon, but
this is a prenotice. The information on format for papers, registration
and other arrangements will be found on our website when posted:
www.cals.ncsu.edu/waste.mgt/

Please direct any questions or submit potential paper topics to:
Dr. Leonard S. Bull, Program Chairperson
Associate Director
Animal and Poultry Waste Management Center
Box 7608
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7608
919-515-6836/919-513-1762 (FAX)

Animal Welfare Considerations in Livestock Housing Systems, October 22-24, Zielona Góra, Poland http://www.pz.zgora.pl/cigr/

International Dairy Federation Conference: World Dairy Summit 2001, November 4-8, Auckland, New Zealand http://www.idf-wds2001.org/master.html

IX World Conference on Animal Production, October 26 - 31, 2003, Porto Allegre, Brazil Information is available at conference web site: www.waap.it/9thworld.htm or by contacting Leonard S. Bull, Vice President of WAAP for North America at leonard_bull@ncsu.edu.