PSERT General Meeting
10-14-2014
Danae Oliver - President
·
Discussed the potential of a group picture at the horse barn, lion shrine, Old Main?
·
Time frame - a survey will be sent out to determine the best time and place
·
Considering potential ideas of connecting horses to the agricultural industry in preparation for Ag Day in April
·
This will be coordinated with Ag Advocates
· The Osteochallenge will be in the spring - This event is a 5K that raises money for osteoporosis research. We really want to promote group involvement.
· We are in the process of organizing the Cow Girl Cookies in terms of where we will be selling them.
Amy Kraus - Vice President
·
Nothing to report
Caitlin Edinger - Secretary
· All of the minutes are up to date. Last meeting had plenty of ideas for future research!
Don't be afraid to suggest a future study - we are a team!!!
Patricia Ochonski - Treasurer
·
Collected dues for the semester and for the year
Taylor Shears - Webmaster
· Email Taylor for any concerns regarding the PSERT info at tms5636@psu.edu
·
Meetings are now on alternating Tuesdays and will be placed on the website for verification
·
The website is up to date with picture including recent events and minutes on the news link
·
The photo album is also being continuously updated; if you have photos, send them to Taylor to keep everyone posted
·
May update the ANGEL site
Kristin Murray/Ellen Blum - Ag Student Council Representative
·
Nothing to report
Hannah Allen - UPAC liaison
·
Will contact UPAC to receive funding for speakers
Sara Groome - Social Chair
·
Another Doodle will be sent out to pick a date next week or so for the potluck event - most likely next Thursday
·
November events are in the works
Jenny Lind - Historian
·
Will send out an email to see if anyone has an acceptable camera
Janelle Musser - Alumni Relations
·
Nothing to report
Katie Baluch - Social and Fundraising Chair
·
Cowgirl cookies TBA
-
Can be sold in the HUB, ASI, or around the buildings to sell to faculty and students alike
-
Last year, the leftovers from Ag Live Tailgate were taken to the Ag Admin building - they were completely sold out
-
Definitely serves as a beneficial fundraiser that can continue to grow
-
We will need plenty of group involvement
Dr. Staniar - advisor
· Necropsy - October 28th
o The available slots are now filled
o
The group will be picked up by Dr. Staniar and another carpool
o
An updated email will be sent out
o
Wear appropriate clothing - close toed shoes, pants, etc.
· Potential Speaker
o
Dr. Ashley Wagner - works for Cooperative Research Farms
o
She is in charge of the equine research department
o
A date has not yet been selected
§ Tentatively November 11th
§ Otherwise December 9th
o
Potential research projects will be discussed with her
§
Potential funding
· Research ideas
o Lots of undergraduate projects going on, nothing major is really occurring as the growth study is coming to a close
o Continue to pitch ideas, knowing that not every idea is going to be without flaws
o Fecal Egg Counts
§ Already being done by the diagnostic lab for $15
§ May not be feasible
o GPS study
§ Find GPS systems that are sturdy and inexpensive
§ Research some ideas
§ Small, waterproof, shock-proof
§ If they are between $50-100, this may be feasible
o Parturition Prediction
§ Milk pH to predict foaling
§
Heart rate monitors
§
What naturally induces parturition in the mare?
·
Changes in cortisol - saliva tests
o
Rises right before parturition
o
Need to assess viability of the kits on the horses
o Cortisol released in blood, bioactive form enters saliva.
High correlation between saliva tests and blood tests regardless
o
Avoiding blood samples to have non-invasive tests - much simpler IACUC
§
Pedometers/Accelerometers
·
Monitor activity levels
·
Can be wrapped around the mares legs
·
Watch for pacing/behavioral changes when monitoring foaling
·
Would require team leaders - worth considering if you want more involvement/research experience
§
We have a big breeding industry in Pennsylvania. Our goal should be to better understand and thus, better manage breeding of horses
§
If we could detect ovulation, we would greatly enhance
o Milk Content Analysis - Difference between milk produced for fillies or colts?
o Individual Project: Colts vs. Fillies - who stands up faster?
§
We currently have data on "time to stand" for all of our foals
§
We have "time to suckle" and first bowel movement
§
Gender may have more of an influence than originally thought
§
We even have time of delivery - may be tricky to evaluate based on size differences and age of mare
o
With any project, be persistent and come prepared to be independent with your research
o
Google Docs will be sent out to stimulate a team effort in researching ideas
§
Really consider the details of broodmares and time leading up to foaling
