Prepare for veterinary feed directive

Prepare for veterinary feed directive

The clock is ticking for livestock producers as new U.S. Food and Drug Administration rules go into effect in December 2016 governing all feed-grade and water-soluble antibiotics that are considered medically important.

Producers will need a veterinary feed directive (VFD) from their veterinarian to use feed-grade antibiotics or a prescription to use water-soluble antibiotics. Craig Payne, director of Veterinary Extension and Continuing Education at the University of Missouri, said it's important to talk to your veterinarian sooner rather than later.

"Having that conversation now versus after Jan. 1, 2017, would be the best approach," Payne advised. "People who weren't aware of the changes will be coming in, and that will create enough problems in and of itself."

For veterinarians to issue a VFD or prescription, they must have a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) with the producer. In other words, they have to have a working relationship with the producer and be acquainted with care and keeping of the animals. If producers aren't currently using a veterinarian, they need to find one and start developing that relationship.

"Those who have a veterinarian need to be discussing what kind of process they are going to go through to request an antibiotic," Payne said.

The labeling changes seek to eliminate the use of antibiotics for production purposes, such as improved feed efficiency and move medically important feed-grade and water-soluble antibiotics from over-the-counter availability to veterinary supervision.

Payne has been talking to groups throughout the state to make them aware of the changes. Many of the groups he has spoken to are concerned about the availability of livestock veterinarians in some areas. Many producers are also wondering about cost. Payne said that is another reason to talk to your veterinarian.

"The main thing is to have that conversation with a veterinarian, figure out if this is going to impact you and, if so, put a process in place to be able to continue using these antibiotics," Payne recommended.

To view the antibiotic labeling changes, visit

http://1.usa.gov/1plWFwi.

 

Latest News

AABP Creates 'Using Credentialed Veterinary Technicians  in Bovine Practice' Guidelines
AABP Creates 'Using Credentialed Veterinary Technicians in Bovine Practice' Guidelines

Utilizing credentialed veterinary technicians (CVTs) in bovine practice can assist veterinarians in providing additional and efficient services to their large animal clients.

Get the Facts Straight on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Get the Facts Straight on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Now that the mystery illness impacting some dairy herds has been revealed as the same strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza that has been impacting the U.S. poultry flock, pork producers are asking questions.

New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows
New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows

A new resource developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax helps cattle producers maximize profitability from their culling decisions.

"Boring" Technology Will Reshape Dairy Over the Next 10 Years
"Boring" Technology Will Reshape Dairy Over the Next 10 Years

Once a technology becomes a boring experience it means it has become proven, well-adopted, and easy to utilize. There are three "boring" technologies silently shaping the industry.

Meat Institute: Properly Prepared Beef is Safe to Eat; HPAI is not a Food Safety Threat
Meat Institute: Properly Prepared Beef is Safe to Eat; HPAI is not a Food Safety Threat

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USDA food safety experts, properly prepared beef is safe to eat and is not a food safety risk to humans.

BREAKING: Mystery Illness Impacting Texas, Kansas Dairy Cattle is Confirmed as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Strain
BREAKING: Mystery Illness Impacting Texas, Kansas Dairy Cattle is Confirmed as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Strain

USDA says genetic sequencing revealed the mystery illness impacting Texas dairies is the same strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that's been in the U.S. The virus is carried by wild waterfowl.