342 Progress Report - AgGuide 2020

The Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching, commonly known as the Ag Guide, is published jointly by the American Dairy Science Association®, the American Society of Animal Science, and the Poultry Science Association under an open access creative commons license. At present, its 4th edition is under development and out for public comment. When finalized, this edition is intended to replace previous editions from 1988, 1999, and 2010. The first five chapters of the Ag Guide cover subjects that are relevant across species. These are followed by species-specific chapters, which are under the purview of the respective associations dedicated to the species. Authors of the individual chapters, recruited by the associations, were scientists, veterinarians, or engineers with expertise in the species or subjects covered in the respective chapters. All chapters are grounded in the scientific literature. The board of directors of each association approved final drafts of the general chapters and their respective species chapters. The content is intentionally broad so as to cover the diverse research and teaching institutions that use agricultural animals, yet be clear enough to give unambiguous guidance to institutional animal care and use committees (IACUCs) responsible for the care and use of animals in their respective institutions. It is viewed as essential that IACUCs and others who oversee animal care practices use sound professional judgment to achieve appropriate animal welfare outcomes, recognizing that too prescriptive an approach to animal care and use can stifle research and teaching opportunities. The 4th edition of the Ag Guide constitutes a timely and robust updating of guidance pertinent to animal care and use that will be released in 2020.