The VMTRC faculty and clinicians support service activities related to their area of expertise including epidemiology, food safety, young stock management, nutrition, udder health, theriogenology, microbiology, pathology, chemistry, parasitology and animal behavior.
The VMTRC provides physical facilities and support for the California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System, Tulare Branch. The CAHFS provides quality diagnostic laboratory support services to practicing veterinarians for livestock disease control, enhancement of livestock health management, protection from diseases common to animals and humans and recognition and dissemination of new knowledge on animal diseases. CAHFS also has a two-year Diagnostic Pathology Residency Program.
The VMTRC hosts information seminars for dairy producers. Each year the VMTRC works with Zinpro to organize a Production Medicine Seminar for veterinarians and nutritionists. This one-day seminar is held in February. When the Foot & Mouth Disease outbreak in the United Kingdom drew international attention, the VMTRC organized a seminar that was attended by approximately 300 producers. This seminar answered questions producers and media had about this serious disease. To learn about upcoming events, contact Rhonda Gillum.
Foot and Mouth Disease Seminar
The mission of this program is to advance the profession of food animal production advisors through the continuing education of veterinarians, ag consultants, nutritionists, ag lenders, and others who work with producers to improve production animal health and welfare, increase farm profitability, and insure food safety environmental health. For more information, contact Rhonda Gillum .
The VMTRC hosts several tours annually. The school tour participants range in age from elementary school to college students. Other tours include the California Milk Advisory Board interns, Pro-Youth Tulare, Leadership Tulare, government officials and other dairy industry related groups. During their visit, these groups develop a better understanding of the School of Veterinary Medicine, food animal medicine and the dairy industry. If you are interested in learning more about tour opportunities at the VMTRC, contact Rhonda Gillum.
Dr. James Cullor with a delegation from Shanghai, China
The Milk Quality Laboratory offers an internship program for high school students. The students who participate in this program are exposed to a professional working environment. They have the opportunity to work in the laboratory and learn basic laboratory skills. For more information about this program, contact Kathy Glenn.
The VMTRC displays a booth at World Ag Expo in Tulare every year. This is the largest agriculture equipment show in the world hosting over 100,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitors during the 3-day show. This is Tulare's signature event and is run by a small staff and over 950 community volunteers.
Dr. John Kirk at the VMTRC booth during the World Ag Expo
Each year, Tulare Union High School and Tulare Western High School host a career day for juniors. The VMTRC faculty and staff participate in this day by speaking to the students about their careers.
The VMTRC has a relationship with local media outlets. The Director and faculty are called regularly to provide opinions on food animal practices, disease outbreaks, bioterrorism and other timely topics. The VMTRC hosted the UC Cooperative Extension Animal Ag Media Seminar in 2001. This seminar provided information to reporters about research projects and activity at the VMTRC facility.
The VMTRC believes it is important for faculty and staff to participate in the community. Employees at the Center are involved in a variety of community activities. |
