Educational Opportunities and Resources
Upcoming Webinar
RECOGNIZING AND MANAGING PAIN IN CATTLE
Eduarda Bortoluzzi, M.V., M.S., Ph.D. (Kansas State University)
July 16, 2025​
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
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Develop an understanding of why pain management is essential for animal health and welfare.
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Gain insight into the challenges associated with identifying and managing pain.
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Learn about current options for pain management and plans to advance welfare.
Past Webinars
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL GROUP HOUSING OF SOWS
Jeremy Marchant, Ph.D. (Organic Plus Trust)
May 8, 2025
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Click here for a video replay.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
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Understand how intensive sow housing developed and how it impacts sow health and welfare
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Apply knowledge of pig natural behavior to mitigate health and welfare challenges
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Describe how different elements of sow housing fit within the Five Domains model of animal welfare
A BETTER MEANS TO A HUMANE ENDING?
Nitrogen Anoxia for the Mass Depopulation of Livestock
Jeffrey Hill, MSc (President, Livestock Welfare Strategies, and Member, Board of Directors, VAFAW)
February 25, 2025
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Click here for a video replay.
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Click here for the powerpoint presentation.
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Click here for a nitrogen whole house gassing resource.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
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Gain insight into the importance of improving depopulation systems to better protect animal welfare​​
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Develop an understanding of the different nitrogen-based methods for mass depopulation, including their mechanism of action and requirements for preparedness
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Learn to compare N2-based methods to other depopulation methods and apply this knowledge to help clients in selecting the option(s) best suited to their circumstances
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Learn to recognize critical factors in applying inert gassing technologies and the value of integrating real-time depopulation process monitoring and audit programming
HUMANE ENDINGS:
Navigating the Ethical Maze of Animal Welfare in Depopulation Practices
Jessica Elisabeth Martin, B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc., Ph.D., FHEA (Newcastle University)
October 30, 2024
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Click here for a video replay.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
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Understand the ethical considerations in depopulation
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Recognize the importance of human responsibility
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Assess the practicality of depopulation methods
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Explore innovative depopulation solutions
HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA:
Vaccines and Vaccination Programs for Poultry
Erica Spackman, MS, PhD (Research Microbiologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture)
August 21, 2024
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This was a live-only event. A replay is not available.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
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Understand vaccine availability for avian influenza in poultry.
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Identify critical components of successful avian influenza vaccination programs.
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Explain metrics of efficacy and correlates for vaccine-induced protection for avian influenza in poultry​.
PAIN IN FARM ANIMALS:
Understanding the Barriers to Mitigation & Improving Welfare
Abigale Zoltick, DVM (Director of Education, VAFAW)
May 8, 2024
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Click here for a video replay. ​
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This webinar is relevant for veterinarians and others who treat farm animals, as well as anyone committed to advancing farm animal welfare via policy reforms.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
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​Understand pain physiology and its connection to animal welfare.
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Identify causes of pain in farm animals, including management procedures and diseases.
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Explore the scarcity of FDA-approved drugs for pain in farm animals, resulting in extra-label use.
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Investigate barriers to on-farm pain management and their impact on animal welfare.
