The second edition of Veterinary Epidemiologic Research by Ian Dohoo, Henrik Stryhn (Health Management), and Wayne Martin, is a newly revised and expanded graduate-level text on the principles and methods of veterinary epidemiologic research. The first edition (2003) quickly became the standard graduate-level text for veterinary epidemiology programs around the world. (VER Inc.)

For more information: www.upei.ca/ver/

In 2008 AVC’s Diagnostic Services Unit processed approximately 400,000 mammalian and aquatic tests.

For more information: www.upei.ca/avc/services/diagnostic/

Lindsey Ward is a Microbiology and Immunology major at Dalhousie University and is from Summerside, PEI. She is one of 26 science students who were awarded an Undergraduate Summer Research Award (USRA) at UPEI from NSERC (the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council) for 2008. Lindsey's research project, Monitoring Avian Influenza Virus in Wild birds, was supervised by Dr. Fred Kibenge, Professor of Virology, AVC.

For more information: www.upei.ca/studentresearch/nserc/lindsay-ward

Since 1999, over 1,400 children from Canada, the United States, and as far away as Saudi Arabia and Australia have experienced the day-to-day life of a veterinarian at AVC’s award-winning summer vet camp. In 2008, AVC Vet Camp was named Best Community Outreach Program in Canada by the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education.

This dynamic program allows young students opportunities to learn about the life of a veterinarian while taking part in interactive activities, including viewing surgeries, touring anatomy and pathology labs, learning about radiology, checking out microscope labs, and getting hands-on with aquaculture and fish health, clicker training, animal welfare, and more.

For more information: www.upei.ca/vetcamp/home

Off-flavours in milk occur at a low incidence in all milk-producing areas of Canada, with "outbreaks" occurring periodically in certain localities, often for no clearly defined reason. In the late 1990s, the incidence of off-flavours in bulk-tank milk was unacceptably high in PEI, with 50/330, or 15% of herds, affected during the winter season of 1999-2000.

A study was initiated and, as a first step, the reliability of the milk transport personnel in identifying off-flavours in milk was evaluated using a sensory study. It was concluded that, in the absence of a more objective diagnostic tool, the use of trained milk graders is appropriate for field monitoring of flavour quality of bulk-tank milk, especially where a simple “accept/reject” decision is required.

Off-flavour cases were more common during the fall and early winter months, and were concentrated in the...

The objectives of this study were as follows: (a) to evaluate the use of bulk tank milk for the monitoring of the Se status of dairy herds in PEI; (b) to obtain information on the Se status of lactating dairy cows in PEI in order to assess the adequacy of current Se supplementation practices; and (c) to examine the relationship between Se status and somatic cell counts, the prevalence of clinical mastitis, and other measures of herd productivity and disease in herds in PEI.

Results were presented to the PEI dairy producers at meetings and through reports and newsletters. Practical information was provided to the participants on the Se status of their herds and steps that could be taken to improve micronutrient nutrition in their herds. Clinical evidence suggests Se nutrition of herds has improved as a result of this work. There has been one peer-reviewed publication, and the...

Farmers Helping Farmers is a PEI-based non-governmental organization that partners with East African farm groups to improve agricultural production for sustainable development within communities. UPEI maintains a strong connection to this organization and has partnered in international development projects since 2004.