Veterinary medicine in service to animal agriculture

In this era of amazing technological advances and rapidly changing international economic systems, America's continued success in animal agriculture depends upon healthy animals and the assurance that food products are safe and of high quality. Livestock in America today are the healthiest in history, and the foods they provide to us are the safest and best ever. Yet, the public wants and expects more. Veterinary medicine, as the most diverse and all-encompassing health science, provides comprehensive leadership which helps to maintain a plentiful supply of safe and wholesome foods of animal origin. This service to society reflects the profession's commitment to animal agriculture. Increasing numbers of veterinarians are pursuing advanced training in livestock production, health management, and related fields which enhance animal productivity and well being. Their Hippocratic commitment to heal combined with objective, science-based knowledge equips veterinarians to advance animal agriculture in partnership with diverse groups of professionals including livestock producers, animal scientists, extension specialists, food processors and distributors, and govement advisory and regulatory agencies. There is great opportunity, but there are also great challenges. If animal health is one of the cornerstones of our animal production economy, then how will veterinary medicine maximize livestock health and minimize the impact of disease? One answer lies in expanding the concept of herd health management to include the principles of preventive medicine. Borrowing some terms from the human-health sector, today's animal health/preventive medicine framework can be divided into three major themes: