K-State students present papers, win awards at American Association of Bovine Practitioners convention

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Source: Dan Thomson, 785-532-4254, dthomson@vet.k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Megan Wilson, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

K-STATE STUDENTS PRESENT PAPERS, WIN AWARDS AT AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF BOVINE PRACTITIONERS CONVENTION

MANHATTAN -- Several College of Veterinary Medicine students at Kansas State University presented papers and received various awards and scholarships at the American Association of Bovine Practitioners convention in Minneapolis, Minn., Sept. 19-23.

Elliot Stevens, third-year veterinary medicine student, and Robert Rust, fourth-year veterinary medicine student, both of Manhattan, earned individual awards.

Stevens' presentation, "Short Term Effects of Exposure to BVD Virus on Health and Performance of Feedlot Cattle," was named one of the top 10 research presentations in a competition of case studies. The competition included veterinary students from across the country.

Rust's work was named one of the top three research presentations at the national convention. His presentation was part of the competition of case studies among veterinary students nationwide in the graduate thesis category of research studies. For a presentation to be considered for the award, the abstract must first be accepted and then presented. The topic of Rust's paper was "Effects of Castration Method and Lidocaine on Health and Performance of Feedlot Cattle."

"It is quite an honor for him to be selected one of the top three presenters," said Dr. Dan Thomson, assistant professor of clinical sciences and Rust's master's adviser.

Keith Dedonder, third-year veterinary medicine student, Reading, and Matt Bartlett, third-year veterinary medicine student, Salina, were named Amstutz Scholars and received $2,500 scholarships. The scholarship competition is open to all second-year veterinary students in the nation. Applicants are evaluated for involvement in bovine medicine and bovine-related extracurricular activities. Dedonder and Bartlett were two of 20 students selected from an average of 3,000 applicants.

Becky Funk, fourth-year veterinary medicine student, Wamego, was awarded one of the three graduate assistantships given out by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. Only three applicants out of 20 veterinary schools nationwide are selected.

"It's an extremely prestigious honor to receive this assistantship from your national chapter," Thomson said.

Funk's research proposal was "Sensitivity of Pooled Antigen Capture ELISA Testing for Bovine Viral Diarrhea and Economic Impact of Herd-wide Testing."

Other K-State students also presented papers at the convention. Brian Lubbers, graduate student in pathobiology and an instructor of clinical sciences, Anita, Iowa, presented "Papillomatous Digital Dermatitis in a Feedyard." Aric Brandt, graduate student in clinical sciences and instructor of clinical sciences, Plymouth, Neb., presented "Feedyard Managers and Veterinary Response Delphi Feedyard."

"It was a big day for K-State. There was a lot of purple pride in Minneapolis," Thomson said. "We are proud of the kids. Their hard work is definitely paying off."

The American Association of Bovine Practitioners is an international association of veterinarians organized to enhance the professional lives of its members through relevant continuing education to improve the well-being of cattle and the economic success of their owners, increase awareness and promote leadership for issues critical to cattle industries, and improve opportunities for careers in bovine medicine.