Speaker Biography

Jerry Rusch

DVM

Dr. Rusch

Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Beef Cattle

Jerry Rusch, DVM, received his BS in Agriculture from Purdue in 1988 and is a 1991 graduate of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.  He became board certified in Beef Cattle Practice from the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 2000.  He and his wife, Dr. Karen, sold their mixed animal practice in southern Indiana in 2020.  Dr. Rusch is a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Academy of Veterinary Consultants, and the Society for Theriogenology.  He is a technical service veterinarian for Axiota Animal Health and regularly speaks to veterinarians, veterinary students, ranchers, and other groups on topics of beef cattle production medicine and herd health.  Dr. Rusch also teaches bovine medicine & surgery at veterinary schools.  His areas of interest include reproduction,  herd health, and the rumen biome.  Jerry currently lives on Marco Island, Florida where he is the President of the Emerald Beach Condominium Board of Directors.

Lectures

  • Friday, October 30, 2026 10:45 - 11:35 a.m. Oak I

    Trace Minerals in Cattle-Importance & Diagnostics Farm Animal

    This lecture will focus on the role of trace minerals in immunity and reproduction discussing the importance of the on-farm liver biopsy procedure to assess trace mineral status.

     Learning Objectives

    • Understand trace mineral requirements, functions & metabolization.
    • Understand antagonists and nutritional challenges of trace mineral supplementation.
    • Understand the reasons to biopsy and the liver biopsy procedure
  • Friday, October 30, 2026 11:45 - 12:35 p.m. Oak I

    The Rumen Biome and Its Effect on Cattle Health Farm Animal

    This lecture will discuss the rumen biome including the importance of Megasphaera elsdenii on cattle health.

    Learning Objectives

    • Understand rumen anatomy, physiology, and microbial environment
    • Understand rumen microflora and microbial fermentation
    • Understand the effect of microbial fermentation and ruminal acidosis on cattle health and production
    • Understand the role and utilization of Megasphaera elsdenii
  • Friday, October 30, 2026 2:45 - 3:35 p.m. Oak I

    Designing and Implementing an Effective Beef Herd Health Vaccination Program Farm Animal

    This lecture will explain the steps and importance of designing an effective beef vaccination program for overall herd health.

    Learning Objectives

    • Understand the different types of vaccines
    • Understand the steps to designing an effective vaccination program
    • Understand the economically important diseases that can be included in a vaccination program
  • Friday, October 30, 2026 3:45 - 4:35 p.m. Oak I

    Improving Beef Calf Performance from Birth to the Feedlot Farm Animal

    This lecture will explain how early events in beef calf development impact performance even in the feedlot.

    Learning Objectives

    • Understand the benefits of early calf health on later performance
    • Understand the role of rumen development in young calves
    • Understand the role of trace minerals to improve the overall health of beef calves