Agricultural News
Veterinary Feed Directive 101 - What Producers Need to Think About as They Count Down to 2017
Thu, 03 Nov 2016 11:33:04 CDT
The reality of operating under the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) being pursued by the Food & Drug Administration is beginning to sink in for producers as we near the first of the new year, when the rule takes effect. Brian Lubbers, D.V.M., Ph.D., Kansas State University Microbial Surveillance Lab director, spoke with Farm Director Ron Hays at The Samuel Roberts Noble Research Foundation this past July during an open forum to shed light on the VFD for producers and industry stakeholders.
Dr. Lubbers explains that the VFD came about over the last three to four years as part of a big picture strategy by the FDA in response to the antimicrobial resistance issue, particularly in humans, but has extended to the role of animal agriculture as well. The VFD consists more of revised regulations that already exist, rather than of new ones being implemented by the FDA meant to encourage the judicious use of antibiotics. He went on to explain that the VFD, specifically Guidance 209 and 213, can be boiled down to two main principles; the first being that when antimicrobials are used in food animals, it is because they are necessary for the animal's health; and secondly, that a licensed veterinarian will be involved in that decision.
There is no question that VFD will affect the way producers manage their herds, but Dr. Lubbers assures that the key to streamlining the process is to prepare by establishing a working relationship with a veterinarian and familiarizing them with your operation, cattle and any disease challenges your herd may have so that they may fulfill VFD orders in the future.
"There are steps to go through, yes, but it is really all about having that relationship that everybody knows what's going on at that time," Lubbers said.
Watch Dr. Lubbers' full presentation during the forum by clicking here or to listen to Dr. Lubbers' interview with Farm Director Ron Hays about the Veterinarian Feed Directive, featured on today's Beef Buzz, click the LISTEN BAR below.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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