Merck Animal Health, formerly known as Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, announced that it has embarked on the expansion of a vaccine manufacturing unit at its Biosciences Center Boxmeer campus in the Netherlands. The $18 million investment will result in a doubling of the capacity of its Tissue Culture Department, one of the departments where antigens for viral and parasitological vaccines are manufactured for international markets. The new facility, which is scheduled to be fully operational by early 2013, has been designed to operate with optimal efficiency as well as to meet current and future requirements with respect to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Safety, Health and Environment (SHE). It will also allow for the anticipated globally growing demand for veterinary vaccines. In addition, the increase of the manufacturing capacity that will be realized anticipates for large-scale emergency production of veterinary vaccines when extensive amounts are needed within a short time period such as during outbreaks of emerging diseases.

Graduate, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Editorial Intern with Progressive Publishing Based in Jerome, Idaho Background Q. In what area did you pursue a degree? I have a bachelor of science in agricultural and environmental communications and education. Q. What is your agricultural background? I went to the Chicago high school for the Agricultural Sciences and learned to appreciate agriculture and enjoyed it. I continued my agricultural education at the University of Illinois and stuck with it throughout my four years at the university.

The Wisconsin Farm Technology Days is the largest agricultural show in Wisconsin and one of the largest in the nation. The three-day outdoor event showcases the latest improvements in production agriculture, including many practical applications of recent research findings and technological developments. Each year, it is held in a different Wisconsin county – on a different host family farm.