South Dakota’s State Veterinarian is leaving that position at the end of this month (Feb. 25, 2022) to become the Chief Vet for the National Pork Board.
Dr. Dustin Oedekoven of Pierre will lead a team of veterinarians and swine production experts in foreign animal disease preparedness and protecting the US herd from African swine fever.
In his current position as State Veterinarian, Oedekoven also served as the Executive Secretary for the South Dakota Animal Industry Board where he provided strategic leadership and direction for the state’s animal health agency – a seven-member, governor-appointed board of livestock producers with responsibility for all animal health programs and disease control efforts in the state. He also served as the interim state Secretary of Agriculture when Secretaries Lucas Lentsch and Mike Jaspers each left to return to the private sector.
Dr. Patrick Webb will now serve as NPB’s assistant chief veterinarian.
National Pork Board CEO Bill Even– also a South Dakota native and former state Secretary of Agriculture– says preventing ASF from entering the U.S. and addressing endemic disease, such as PRRS, are tall orders. But, he says he’s confident Oedekoven and Webb have the leadership and talent to tackle these challenges.
Additionally, Brett Kaysen, Ph.D., who most recently served as the senior vice president of sustainability for NPB, has taken on the role of senior vice president of producer and state engagement.
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