02/21/08 Military vet

Even in countries at war there are positive stories. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back with one that livestock producers will like. An article by Kenna Rathai in Beef magazine told such a great story I just had to share it with you. In Afghanistan along the Pakistan border drought and fighting had nearly wiped out the animal population. Farm families of the region counted on this livestock for survival. An idea of a U.S. Army soldier, a reservist from the Midwest, started what may be one of America's greatest achievements in the Afghan war. When the military strategists got involved they brought in Lt. Col. Sam Barringer, DVM of the U.S. Air Force Reserves to lead a team to re-establish animal agriculture in this Afghan area. The U.S. military also requested veterinary products that Pfizer Animal Health donated. Animals were brought into this area from other Afghan sites that had an excess of animals. Each family was given five animals including one male. As the animals reproduced one animal had to be given back to sustain the program. Next, Lt. Col. Barrringer held seminars to train local veterinarians with new procedures on animal health assessment, prevention, treatment, and product administration. Forty-five Afghan veterinarians were given three day-training courses to provide this information. These local vets then were responsible for keeping the re-established animals healthy. Tomorrow, some interesting highlights and side lights of the program. I'm Jeff Keane. Beef February 2008