“Repeated themes I heard were the importance of safety, the huge impact that consistent small change can make, and remembering to look upstream to prevent problems rather than only treating them.”

The program committee, consisting of Potter, Monika Dziuba (dairy), Riley Jones (beef) and Tanya Weber (beef), matched the demographic of attendees. Kicking off the program was a keynote by Tera Rooney Barnhardt with her talk, “Chupacabras in the Corrals.”

“Every career has its chupacabras — the things that feel mysterious, intimidating, dark and downright scary,” she said. “They show up in your corral whether you invited them or not. The question isn’t whether they’ll appear. The question is: What tone will you set when they do?”

Practical sessions

Session topics included farm safety, low-stress people handling, fluid therapy, antibiotic selection, obstetrical (OB) cases, surgery to fix left displacement of the abdomen (LDA), cattle handling, laceration repair, useful knots and knives in practice, off-feed cows, youngstock data, records analysis, heifer selection, parasites, grazing, calf audits, managing outbreaks, meat quality, USDA inspection, dairy reproduction, cow-calf medicine, lameness, cultural communications and practice tips. There was also a mixed animal session with topics on swine, horses, poultry and small ruminants.

“The primary mission of AABP is to provide relevant continuing education to cattle veterinarians,” says AABP Executive Director Fred Gingrich. “This conference provides AABP the opportunity to target this CE to recent graduates with the goals of engaging them with colleagues at a similar stage of their career, provide them the information they need to succeed early in their career, and retain them in bovine practice and AABP. I am thankful not only for our members who attend, but also the dedicated volunteers who serve on the program committee to develop this CE.”

“In the midst of one of the most challenging seasons of our careers, this conference allows for a refocusing on why we chose this path and all that we have to look forward to.” — Tracy Potter

“This conference continues to deliver exceptional continuing education and meaningful networking opportunities for our newest colleagues,” says AABP President Callie Willingham. “The energy, engagement and enthusiasm truly stand out — learning extends beyond the session rooms into the exhibit hall and social events, where lasting professional relationships are formed. These recent graduates are deeply committed to bovine medicine and are already shaping the future of our profession.”

Willingham says there is no doubt that many of the future leaders of bovine medicine are emerging from this group.

Filling a need

“The atmosphere at this conference was second to none,” Potter adds. “I encourage all recent graduates to continue making it a priority, and for all employers to help make that possible. In the midst of one of the most challenging seasons of our careers, this conference allows for a refocusing on why we chose this path and all that we have to look forward to.”

The Recent Veterinary Graduate Conference was launched in 2018 as a result of the different needs of AABP members who are recent graduates, many of whom are unable to attend the AABP Annual Conference in the fall.

Registrants and AABP members can access the RACE-approved recorded presentations of the Recent Graduate and Annual Conference as a free member benefit through the Beef Cattle Institute website accessible at https://aabp.org.

The 2026 AABP 59th Annual Conference will be Aug. 27-29 in Minneapolis, Minn. The 2027 AABP 10th Recent Graduate Conference will be Feb. 12-13 in Baton Rouge, La.

Editor’s note: Geni Wren is director of marketing and communications for AABP. [Lead photo created with photo by Gianfranco Vivi and caduceus illustration by Blackmoon9, both from Getty Images.]

Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 18, No. 2-B