Purdue Veterinary Medicine Showcased at Hoosier Beef Congress

Adrianna hands a flyer to a beef producer who stopped by the college's booth in the exhibit hall.
Second-year Purdue veterinary student and member of the college’s Food Animal Club, Adrianna Mann, visits with a producer at the PVM booth in the Hoosier Beef Congress Exhibit Hall.

When Indiana beef producers from across the state gathered at the Indiana State Fairgrounds December 1-3 for the Hoosier Beef Congress (HBC), they had the opportunity to learn about Purdue Veterinary Medicine thanks to a booth the college hosted as part of the event’s expansive trade show. The booth highlighted the services of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital and the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

This marked the first year that the college had such a presence at the annual HBC, which is one of the largest, single-state junior cattle shows in the U.S. More than 1,200 animals were showcased at the event by nearly 900 youth exhibitors from across Indiana. Popular components of the HBC include the Junior Show, the HBC Sale, the Showmanship Contest, the Judging Contest, and the Team Fitting Contest.

Another highlight of the HBC is the wide variety of businesses that participate in the trade show to share information about their offerings and provide shopping opportunities. The Purdue Veterinary Medicine booth featured information on the ADDL’s bovine testing services as well as the bovine services available through the Farm Animal Hospital and Field Services.

“The Hoosier Beef Congress provides an important opportunity for us to interact with current and prospective bovine clients first-hand,” said Dr. Ellen Lowery, associate dean for hospital operations and chief veterinary officer. “We have excellent expertise and capabilities to meet the animal health needs of producers, working as a team with referring veterinarians, and this is a valuable means of spreading the word.”

The assistant director of the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Dr. Craig Bowen, said showcasing bovine testing services helps producers understand the ADDL’s vital role in protecting herd health and ensuring a safe food supply. “We are glad to have a presence at this event to help increase awareness and understanding of our capabilities and our commitment to beef producers,” Dr. Bowen said.

The PVM booth also was appreciated by Jeff Sherfield, president of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association Executive Committee (IBCA). “As president of IBCA/IBC and a beef producer, I was pleased to see the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s participation at the Hoosier Beef Congress,” Sherfield said. “I look forward to us having an ongoing strong working relationship and partnering together in serving the needs of not only beef herds but all food animals throughout the state. In particular, we recognize the desperate need for food animal veterinarians in many parts of the state.”

In addition, the IBCA’s executive vice president, Brian Shuter, talked about the value of having the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital and the ADDL represented in the trade show. “The HBC is the biggest event that the IBCA puts on and provides a great way for organizations such as the College of Veterinary Medicine to get in front of our producers and talk about the critical services that they provide to our industry,” Shuter said.

As a member of the IBCA, the college helps ensure herd health and the success of beef producers.  Special thanks to those who helped with the PVM booth at the HBC, including Kelly Dold, hospital and ADDL marketing and communications manager, who organized and coordinated booth arrangements, and volunteers who helped staff the booth: Dr. Andrew Hubner, clinical assistant professor of farm animal field services; Rebecca Hoffman, RVT, veterinary nurse for Bovine and Swine Field Services; Dr. Craig Bowen, ADDL assistant director; and Adrianna Mann, of the DVM Class of 2026, who is the beef chairperson in the Food Animal Club.

Writer(s): Kelly Dold and Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

PVM White Coat Ceremony Celebrates Major Milestone for DVM Class of 2026

The Purdue Memorial Union ballrooms provided a classic setting for an annual event that has become a cherished tradition of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Members of the DVM Class of 2026 gathered with family, friends and faculty and staff on the evening of April 12 for the annual White Coat Ceremony that signals the transition of the third year veterinary students from the classroom to the clinics.

Breast Cancer Drug Supinoxin Shows Potential for Small-cell Lung Cancer Treatment in New Tests

Purdue University scientists led by co-principal investigators in the Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine have identified the Supinoxin small-molecule drug as a possible new therapy for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Tail-Wagging Success Characterizes PVM’s Participation in Purdue Day of Giving

As the day dawned Wednesday, April 30, evidence came pouring in that Boilermakers everywhere – whether alumni, friends and/or fans – were answering the call to make the 2025 Purdue Day of Giving our loudest and proudest “All hail!” yet. And Purdue Veterinary Medicine played a part in the success!

PVM’s Oncology Team Buoys Purdue Institute for Cancer Research 5K Fundraising Run

It is no surprise that the members of Purdue’s Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center (WCORC) in the College of Veterinary Medicine would not back down from a challenge, especially when it comes to supporting innovative cancer research. So, true to form, about two-dozen representatives of the center could be found out on the course Saturday, April 12, participating in the 17th annual 5K Challenge fundraising run to support the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research.

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we extend our appreciation to Lisa Hepworth, DVM, who is a senior lecturer and instructor of record for small animal junior surgery.