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VPS Scholarships for Young Swine Experts

Jun 23, 2025
By Farms.com

Scholarships Support Early Career Swine Health Professionals

Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions (VPS) is celebrating 30 years of service by launching a scholarship program to support early-career veterinarians working in swine health. The company will award two scholarships worth $2,500 each to veterinarians in their first five years of practice who are focused on commercial livestock.

“These scholarships are a token of our sincere appreciation for the support from the veterinarian community over the past 30 years,” says Dean Warras, CEO of VPS. “We remain committed to supporting the future of swine veterinary medicine, and we hope these scholarships will provide welcomed support to their recipients.”

To apply, veterinarians must submit either a 400-word written statement or a two-minute video. Their entry should focus on two key topics: the significance of the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA) and 21 CFR Part 530 in their veterinary practice, and how these tools impact their approach to treating pigs and working with clients.

“We recognize the critical role early-career veterinarians play in the pork industry,” says Brian Payne, Commercial R&D and Technical Service Director at VPS. “We’re eager to support these important individuals to help them establish a long and fruitful veterinary career.”

Applications will be judged on understanding of AMDUCA and 21 CFR Part 530, impact on veterinary clinics and clients, contribution to pig health, and creativity. All submissions are confidential and won’t be shared without permission.

Eligible veterinarians should email their entries to Dr. Brian Payne at bpayne@vetpharmsol.com by July 15, 2025.


Trending Video

Assessing Welfare Resources During Late Finish - Dr. Anna Johnson & Emma Coursey

Video: Assessing Welfare Resources During Late Finish - Dr. Anna Johnson & Emma Coursey


In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Anna Johnson from Iowa State University and Emma Coursey from the University of Illinois discuss research evaluating welfare resources during the late finishing stage on commercial swine farms. They explain how feeder management, water use, space allocation, and pig health influence welfare outcomes and practical on-farm management. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Small resource issues can become larger welfare problems when multiple stressors interact across finishing barns."

Meet the guests: Dr. Anna Johnson / anna-johnson-05028a14 is the Morrill Professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare at Iowa State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from Texas Tech University and completed her master's degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on practical solutions that improve farm animal welfare, including sow productive lifetime, animal-human interaction, environmental enrichment, and Precision Livestock Farming.

Emma Coursey / emma-coursey-183810241 is pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine after earning a bachelor's degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University. Her academic interests include swine health, production, and animal welfare, with research experience evaluating welfare resources in commercial finishing pigs.