Teaming up for animal health
GD-magazine - November 2019 - No. 2
update
INTRODUCING E-LEARNING
“Always accessible; even while waiting for your flight home.”
DEMONSTRATION FARM ANPING “GD is a valuable partner”
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SHARING KNOWLEDGE
What to expect in 2020?
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AHEAD IN ANIMAL HEALTH
PTS IN 2020 Why participate? • Evaluate the performance of your laboratory
Cat. no.
• Maintain or achieve ISO 17025 accreditation
Round 1
• Identify inter-laboratory differences
Proficiency testing scheme
VLDIA234*
PTS PRRSV antibody detection
VLDIA290*
PTS PRRS virus detection
• Identify problems within your laboratory
VLDIA225*
PTS IBV antibody detection
• Provide additional confidence to your customers
VLDIA296*
PTS IB virus detection
Closing date registration
Shipment samples
Closing date submission test results
Final report + certificate
January 3
Week 4
March 13
Week 19
January 31
Week 8
April 10
Week 23
February 28
Week 12
May 8
Week 27
Round 2 VLDIA294
PTS App antibody detection
VLDIA285*
PTS PCV2 detection
VLDIA226*
PTS Mycoplasma (Mg/Ms) antibody detection
VLDIA303*
PTS Mycoplasma (Mg/Ms) bacteria detection
Round 3
View the entire schedule: www.gdanimalhealth.com/pts/timeschedule
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VLDIA336*
PTS MAP antibody detection (serum and/or milk)
VLDIA322
PTS MAP detection
VLDIA219*
PTS NDV antibody detection
VLDIA328
PTS ND virus detection
VLDIA313*
PTS EDS antibody detection
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foreword
BUSINESS IN DEVELOPMENT Development: it is a central theme throughout our work. From business development to digitalisation. We are constantly on the move, which is essential in this ever-changing world. It is a big world after all, but at the same time very small. Contact with each other has never been so easy, and GD makes every effort to take advantage of that, through e-commerce and e-learning for example. A high level of learning is important and we are working at attaining that higher level by keeping up with developments.
We’re making progress; slowly but surely, we’re finding our way. And we hope to step up the pace in the near future.
In doing so, we look further than our national borders. Take China for example, where e-commerce has enjoyed amazing development. Companies such as Alibaba and NetEase are growing enormously and WeChat has also become an extremely important platform on which to communicate with clients. Reason enough for us to make our voice clearly heard there. China is a challenging market, which we find very attractive.
With this in mind, the calendar for 2020 is already well filled. From seminars to exhibitions, we look forward to meeting you. We are not alone in doing so, as we are pleased to be able to cooperate with our ever-growing distribution network.
Although this year was marked by looking ahead to new opportunities and developments, we also took time to reflect on our past, during our jubilee year. We have been working on animal health for a hundred years and our dedication continues. In the coming decades, GD aims to be the most innovative and reliable animal health organisation, an international trendsetter driven by the passion to improve and safeguard animal health together.
Jan-Willem de Vries, Manager Business Development
content 04 GD Academy: introducing E-learning
CONTACT INFORMATION GD ANIMAL HEALTH If you want to know more about what GD can do for you, please contact one of our staff members, responsible for international sales:
Jan Willem de Vries
Ruth Bouwstra
Manager Business Development jw.devries@ gdanimalhealth.com
Manager Contract Research and Consulting r.bouwstra@ gdanimalhealth.com
Eveline Peereboom
Rogier van Leeuwen
Business manager e.peereboom@ gdanimalhealth.com
Business developer r.vanleeuwen@ gdanimalhealth.com
Jarno Smit
Anita Morelisse
Product manager GD Academy j.smit@ gdanimalhealth.com
Coordinator GD Academy a.morelisse@ gdanimalhealth.com
Annemiek Kolkman
Fanny Nieuwenhuis
Senior account manager a.kolkman@ gdanimalhealth.com
Senior account manager f.nieuwenhuis@ gdanimalhealth.com
Monique Kleinlugtenbeld
Ellen Koetsier
Sales support support@ gdanimalhealth.com
Sales support support@ gdanimalhealth.com
Phone In the Netherlands 0900-1770, Outside the Netherlands +31 (0)570-63 33 91 | E-mail info@gdanimalhealth.com | Website www.gdanimalhealth.com Mail ADDRESS GD, P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, the Netherlands | Delivery address for samples and post mortem material GD, CMD, Arnsbergstraat 7, 7418 EZ Deventer, the Netherlands.
06 Everyone’s welcome at RTTC 07 WeChat: getting more and more involved
04 08 Looking back on our anniversary congresses
10 Course catalogue 2020: what to expect?
11 News and communications 06
12 GD specialist: Rogier van Leeuwen
10
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INTRODUCING E-LEARNING
“Blended learning is the key” The world around us is changing; so too is the way in which we teach and learn. Paper stacks have made way for tablets and you no longer need to be a globetrotter to follow a training course. And that’s why e-learning is so important, explains Jarno Smit, product manager. “Blended learning is the key,” says Jarno. “We are heading for a situation in which we have a room full of participants and a tutor on the one hand, and participants undertaking a lot in their own time on the other.” He believes this will translate into a different style of learning. “They have time to acquire knowledge beforehand, during and following a course.” The million-dollar question was of course: how to ensure that this actually adds value? The solution proved to be simple. Doing more with our training courses “There are numerous presentations lying unused on the shelf, which is a waste of this valuable information. We are therefore converting them in collaboration with the animal health experts, in order to be able to use them in multiple ways,” explains Jarno. The idea behind this is that, on paying for a training course, people are provided with an extra e-learning module to be followed in order to enrich their new-found knowledge. “A poultry course for example, with extra information on biosecurity available for home study. Or perhaps a basic course as a forerunner to the more complicated material.”
Another advantage of this way of working is the opportunity for evaluation. That too can take place digitally, he explains. “Participants take five minutes to complete the evaluation form, and we have a record of their experience per teaching unit. Here, participants can give their opinion on the hotel, the catering, our experts and the various training components. All useful information, allowing us to better gear our training courses to participant requirements. Our courses receive 4.5 stars on average on a scale from 1-5!” On the go The platform is now mainly used as a digital portal in which we gather all course information. One week beforehand, participants receive login data to give them access to all presentations to be given in the following week. The programme and information on Deventer can also be found here. “In the past, all this information only became available on the Monday when the course started, so this really is a giant step forward. Many people spend a lot of time on the road, and often have time to peruse the information, whereas they are unlikely to work through a hefty file within five days, in practice. And so everyone is given the opportunity to prepare well. While you’re unlikely to carry such a file around with you in your travel case, a portal is always accessible. Also if you feel like rereading a presentation on your way home.”
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academy
Questions and details The digital learning environment was launched early this year and has been received enthusiastically. Brian Arinaitwe, a field veterinarian from Uganda, was certainly very pleased with it. “There is a high level of training here and the organisation is great. You get information before you arrive, so you can read it in advance. The new e-learning is also nice; you can download a lot of information for preparation.” Yet Jarno wants to go one step further in order to truly introduce e-learning. “There are so many opportunities using the information currently on the
shelf. From a universal supplementary training course on biosecurity to the detailing of infectious diseases among small ruminants. It is key that e-learning forms a supplement to regular training courses. The actual training courses will continue to exist in the same form. There will always be room for questions and interaction, but then with an added bonus.” INTERESTED IN THE E-LEARNING POSSIBILITIES OF GD ANIMAL HEALTH? PLEASE CONTACT THE TEAM AT GDACADEMY@GDANIMALHEALTH.COM OR VISIT WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/ACADEMY
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interview
GD PARTICIPATES IN NEW DEMO FARM CHINA
“Everyone is welcome” Together we are stronger. That’s why NuScience is establishing a demonstration centre in Anping, China. At the Research Technology and Training Centre (RTTC), various Dutch partners will showcase their agricultural possibilities. Arjan Zwiers of Dutch Farm Design was asked to manage this project. “The best part is that the RTTC is accessible for everyone.” NuScience approached Arjan in 2016 with the idea of starting a demonstration centre. “They believed there was added value in having a location in China where they could communicate with existing and future clients regarding modern pig farming. We put our heads together to plan and build a centre that will unite modern farming systems, knowledge transfer and feed research under one roof: the RTTC.” He brought together a number of parties, from floor professionals to ventilation experts, in order to make this plan work. “It’s now a joint Dutch project in which various companies, including GD, can present themselves on the Chinese market. I believe very strongly in this type of cooperation within the sector. It reinforces our sector and together, we can tell a very interesting story.” At the centre, where all activities are based on pig farming, visitors can view the entire process. Biosecurity plays a prominent role in this. “The complete stable is ventilated with overpressure, so the incoming air is filtered,” Arjan explains. “No air
can move from the visitors’ area to the animals. And so the risk of airborne diseases from outside is minimal.” That is extremely important in his opinion, as the centre expects to receive many different types of visitors; from vets and farmers to owners of large cooperatives. “Everyone is welcome.” Lowering thresholds GD will provide training courses at the centre. “GD is one of the partners when it comes to knowledge transfer,” he says. “The combination of laboratory services and expertise makes GD unique. Thanks to the rich history of the company and all the know-how amassed over the years, GD is a valuable partner that provides practically oriented solutions.” And that is what is needed according to Arjan. “Comparable training courses are regularly organised in the Netherlands, but they often only attract managers. By organising the courses in China, the threshold to participate will be lowered to include those people who actually work with the pigs on a daily basis. Everything learned by participants can be applied immediately in their own country and farm.” Although the RTTC will not officially open until 2021, Arjan regularly spends time in China in order to get things established. “We are currently exploring whether certain partnerships can be set up there. The plan is to start communicating about the centre and the training courses this winter. It would be great if we could start offering training courses at other locations in China even before the centre actually opens. There is a great need for expertise, and the RTTC would like to respond to that.”
The Dutch Farm Training Centre (RTTC) is a project aimed at realising a sow pig farm in China, in which new innovations can be shown to the Chinese market. This farm will be built using the latest housing and animal health techniques and will be a showcase for a practical, all-inclusive concept (nutrition, health management, ventilation, flooring, etc.). In addition to being a ‘normal’ sow farm, the centre will also be used for training/demonstration purposes and as a research facility.
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technology
FOLLOW US ON WECHAT
WeChat, we t oo Since its launch in 2011, WeChat has enjoyed steady growth. By 2019, the app already has around one billion daily users. It enjoys amazing popularity in China in particular: for payments, rentals, chat and orders via the platform. GD wishes to be part of this dynamic market, in order to demonstrate its commitment to foreign markets. We are increasingly finding our way around Asia, and following and participating in these types of foreign developments is extremely important. It helps our clients on the other side of the world find their way to us. We participate in discussion groups and regularly post messages as proof of our ability and our activities. This is all part of our effort to develop foreign business. Slowly but surely, we are using WeChat as the multi-modal medium for which it was intended. We have contact with people about training courses we organise, we recruit freelancers and send contracts or invoices. By responding to this quickly developing market, we aim to make things as easy as possible for our clients. What’s in a name? Our involvement with China reaches further than simply participating in an app such as WeChat. The Chinese name we recently developed is a good example of this. More and more often, we became aware that GD Animal Health was not effective during our visits to China, because the name did not cover the scope of our work. We therefore decided not to use the short translation of GD Animal Health; GD 动保. GD is a company providing knowledge and has a high level reputation. Therefore we decided to work with the name 皇家GD 动物健康中心, because this is a
good reflection of the type of company we are. As a bonus, the name now informs the customer that GD is a company with Royal designation and also explains the nature of our business. So whether it concerns an app installed by our employees on their smartphone to stay up to date with market activities, or something as major as a name change; we want to be as close as possible to the market and we do not fear change. Not only in China, but all over the world. MORE ABOUT GD WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/CONSULTANCY/CN
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LOOKING BACK ON ANNIVERSARY CONGRESSES
Working together, celebrating together As you have probably noticed, 2019 was a very special year in which we celebrated our 100 year anniversary. And we took every opportunity to do so. One such opportunity was the organisation of a number of (international) confe rences. We’d like to look back on them together with you.
27 29 March
SVEPM
On 27-29 March 2019, the annual Conference of the Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (SVEPM) was organised in the Netherlands. The local organising committee was an enthusiastic group of representatives from GD, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University and Wageningen University and Research. More than 200 people attended the conference. Royal GD was platinum sponsor and also contributed to the scientific programme with three oral presentations and several poster presentations.
JANUARY 2019
10 11 April
FEBRUARY
MARCH
Voorjaarsdagen
Together with EVC Spring Days, GD joined forces to provide an attractive and challenging programme to discuss the latest developments in animal health of small ruminants. From listeriosis and bluetongue to Q-fever and biosecurity; these were but a few of the subjects featured during ‘Another Century of Small Ruminant Health Challenges’. Lucie Marie Grimm, specialist in training ECSHM in Hannover: “This conference was not only an opportunity to meet up with colleagues, but also to learn from our neighbours. It was impressive to see how Dutch farmers and vets tackle infectious diseases such as Q-fever and CAE.”
We may have met up with some of you, or maybe you were lacking the time or the means to travel to one of our conferences? No problem, as this article is designed to update you about our very full year. Where were we, what were we doing and who was doing what?
11 13 September
EBC
With over 500 attendees from 25 countries and 100 presentations, the European Bovine Conference 2019 was very successful. The theme was ‘Your Veterinary Toolbox 2025’, and comprised socially relevant subjects such as practice ownership, education of young vets, feminisation and various more scientific themes such as infectious diseases, parasitology, housing, etc. EBC 2019 was an initiative by GD and was organised by a group of enthusiastic cattle veterinarians with a background in practice and academia. There was something for everyone. The biggest compliment heard was: ‘When are you going to organise this again?’
APRIL
22 24 May
MAY
JUNE
ESPHM
During the European Symposium of Porcine Health Management (ESPHM), which focused on ‘Pig health management 4.0’, around 1600 vets, researchers, pharmaceutical specialists and feed companies from all over the world gathered in Utrecht. GD was sponsor and co-organiser, and made a considerable scientific contribution: the results of research and animal health monitoring were showcased in five presentations and eleven scientific poster presentations. As usual, the keynote presentations dealt with important areas of attention and current affairs within the sector. This edition was all about pig health management 4.0 (big data, smart data), antimicrobial resistance and stewardship, long-tailed pigs and African swine fever.
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100 year anniversary
25 - 28 September
ECVP/ESVP & ECVCP/ESVCP
The European Colleges & Societies of veterinary and veterinary-clinical pathologists, ECVP/ECVCP & ESVP/ESVCP, held a joint annual conference this year, in Burgers Zoo in Arnhem. There, experts presented the state of the art of their professional field for a large international audience. This included subjects such as biomarkers in cancer and infectious diseases, One Health, fungal infections, wildlife pathology, sea mammals and conservation programmes, liquid biopsies/cell-free DNA, Rift Valley Fever and transmission of zoonotic arboviruses. Royal GD presented itself in lectures: the role of pathology in a surveillance system (Y. Schukken), oral pathology in dogs and cats (N. Meertens) and poultry disease monitoring (N. de Bruijn).
JULY
AUGUST
18 - 20 September
SEPTEMBER
EVSN
In this jubilee year, GD hosted the 11th annual gathering of the European Veterinary Surveillance Network (EVSN). Over the course of two days, various network partners gave presentations on new developments in their surveillance system, along with any special findings. The Thursday afternoon was dedicated entirely to One Health and the detection and control structure of zoonoses in the various countries. GD also organised two optional excursions for participants: one to Royal A-ware in Heerenveen and one to the Mekkerhof dairy goat innovation centre.
OCTOBER
13 - 15 November
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
ISMC
To celebrate our anniversary, GD is organising the International Symposium on Avian Mycoplasmosis and Infectious Coryza (ISMC 2019). These are both bacterial respiratory poultry diseases globally known for their clinical and economic relevance for the poultry industry. The main focus will lie on diagnosis, monitoring and control, as well as state-ofthe-art knowledge of genotyping, epidemiology, vaccination, protection and treatment. We aim to convene a meeting of 150 participants, including international keynote speakers, researchers and representatives from companies involved in Avian Mycoplasmosis and Infectious Coryza. We look forward to welcoming you to the ISMC 2019!
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/CALENDAR
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academy
COURSE CATALOGUE 2020
Sharing knowledge What are your passions, skills and ambitions? Let us help you achieve your goals! GD Academy can provide you with the latest information for your area of expertise and make you stand out from the crowd. GD Academy provides education and training related to animal health and animal diseases for farm managers, their staff and veterinarians, pharmaceutical companies, the feed industry and governments. Our programmes focus on laboratory training, cattle, swine, poultry and small ruminants such as sheep and goats. Our animal health experts discuss current topics and issues and guide you in translating the theory into practice, enabling you to apply the acquired knowledge immediately. Course catalogue 2020 Dairy Training (9-13 March) How do you take care of your calves, nutrition, milking and all other management issues on a large scale dairy farm? What could you do to improve the technical results? All this you will learn at our international dairy training.
Intro to Goat Health, Climate and Feed (28 September - 2 October) This practical dairy goat health training combines theory lectures with hands-on training. With topics from feeding to practical pathology instruction there is something for everyone. Lab Training ELISA (7 - 9 October) and PCR (12 - 14 October) This entry-level training program is specifically developed for laboratory employees who are looking for a better understanding of technical and practical background of the tests, the consequences of their activities and the use of a quality control system. In addition to the course agenda above, courses can also be fully custom-made; in the Netherlands, as well as in your country. Feel free to contact us at gdacademy@gdanimalhealth.com. We look forward to discussing the options with you. MORE ABOUT THESE COURSES WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/ACADEMY
Intro to Poultry Health, Climate and Feed (16 - 20 March) Topics like biosecurity, respiratory and intestinal health, pathology, climate and feed will be covered. In this both theoretical as well as practical poultry training you will expand your knowledge. Advanced Poultry Health, Climate and Feed (1 - 5 June) GD organizes an advanced level training on poultry production, focusing on major diseases and how to approach them. For professionals who completed the Poultry Introduction Training or have 5 to 10 years work experience in poultry production. Intro to Pig Health, Climate and Feed (15 - 19 June) A five-day training, focusing on making evidence based diagnoses of pig health problems, using practical examples and case histories.
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news & communications The King can grant this designation as a symbol of his respect, appreciation and trust in the recipient. During the centenary jubilee, GD received this very special designation for its great significance in the field of animal health, both nationally and internationally. We have been working towards this with great passion for many years. And will continue to do so in the future.
A royal touch In 1919, cattle farmers joined forces to combat animal disease in the Netherlands in an organised manner; a farmers’ initiative that resulted in the establishment of GD 100 years ago. Such a special jubilee required a celebration of course. And not just any old celebration, as King WillemAlexander honoured GD with a visit on Thursday 16 May. A day later, the mayor awarded GD the designation Royal, on behalf of his Majesty the King.
New logo “The Royal visit and designation are a great honour of course,” says Ynte Schukken, GD’s CEO. “Over the past century, we’ve achieved a great deal together when it comes to animal health and animal welfare. And we aim to achieve much more in the years to come. ‘Leading in animal health’, that’s our ambition.” GD aims to bear the designation with a sense of pride, which is why the Royal crown has been added to our logo and our trade name changed to Royal GD. “But GD will still be the same GD, working on animal health with that same passion.”
Sjaak de Wit appointed Vice President WVPA We are happy to announce that Sjaak De Wit, DVM, PhD, EBVS® is appointed Vice President of the World Veterinary Poultry Association. Also congratulations for the new President Dr. Nicolas Eterradossi, EBVS®.
Visit from Uzbekistan We had the great honor to receive H. E. Dilyor Khakimov, ambassador of the republic of Uzbekistan. We look forward to the inception mission to Uzbekistan!
New distributor Vietnam We are pleased to announce that we are going to team up with Sistar Vietnam Co. Ltd. as our new exclusive distributor for Vietnam.
Distributor ahoy! GD is working to establish an international distribution network. We’ve recently added Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to our network. However, we are still looking for distributors in different countries. With GD, you add a big name with international reputation to your package.
Sistar Vietnam was founded in 2011, specializing in the distribution of vaccines, medical equipment, veterinary diagnostic kits and veterinary medicines. With their motto of ‘Distributing the best quality products’ we feel this is the best partner to introduce our highquality products & services to the Vietnamese market.
Are you interested in becoming a GD distributor? Please contact our manager distributors Mrs. Annemiek Kolkman via a.kolkman@gdanimalhealth.com.
We welcome Lee Jeong Seok and his team to our international distributor network and look forward to a fruitful collaboration.
Let’s go digital In these times of digital media, we publish the Update magazine on paper as well as online. Do you prefer to read the magazine online? Visit www. gdanimalhealth.com/news and read your our future Updates digitally! You can also subscribe to our newsletter.
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GD specialist: Rogier van Leeuwen The GD specialists focus their daily work on gathering and sharing their extensive knowledge of animal diseases. We pay special attention to a specific sector in each edition of the Update. This time: Rogier van Leeuwen, Business Developer. He is new at GD and his main focus is marketing the GD products and services abroad. He began his career as a vet practitioner, but soon swapped that role for a challenging job at a pharmaceutical company. Although his focus was mainly on poultry there, he will be fulfilling a broader role at GD. “A more commercial role, where my technical know-how will come in useful,” he explains. He is particularly appreciative of the international aspirations of GD. “It is a fantastic challenge to help a century-old company continue grow.” Rogier will be taking to the road frequently in order to promote such growth. “You’ll find me at exhibitions and seminars, where I’ll also be speaking about poultry-related issues.” Next to that, he will accompany trade missions and deal with projects with integrations. “My colleagues are very good at opening doors, and my job is to keep them open and maintain good contacts,” he laughs. Network development will always be important to him in any case, as it facilitates the marketing of various products. The so-called GD Eight: Plexus, laboratory testing, PTS, diagnostics, research and development, contract research, consultancy and training courses. “You don’t simply send a speaker to a conference, but you also visit a client for an audit or provide training for a group. And that GD Eight travels with you in your case whenever you get on a plane.” This so-called cross-selling is always an important issue, he explains. “Around the world, we have various distributors who help us market our products abroad. How wonderful would it be if we could arrange for them to sell not only reagents but also training courses, FTA cards and other products? A distributor then becomes a local GD store, as it were. And that is a win-win situation for us and for clients.” As far as Rogier is concerned, there is still plenty to do abroad, and lots of work for him to get on with at GD. “A lot off contact from abroad concerns poultry, even though the largest branch of the laboratory in the Netherlands is cattle. We have so much expertise that we now need to share it. In fact, we’re familiar with all the markets: pigs, poultry, small ruminants, cattle, you name it.” He believes that the reputation built up over the years is of great benefit. “Doors open much more easily, but we want to go one step further. And that requires international input. We always want to be the best in animal health, but there is a limit to the growth in the home market. We must look beyond our borders for further growth.”
P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, the Netherlands, T. +31 570 633 391 www.gdanimalhealth.com, info@gdanimalhealth.com
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