Agricultural News
The Process May Be New, But the Idea is the Same - Observations from NCBA's Chief Vet on VFD
Wed, 22 Feb 2017 11:17:11 CST
It has now been more than 50 days since the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) took effect at the beginning of this year. Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays caught up with Chief Veterinarian for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Dr. Kathy Simmons recently for her take on the situation. According to her observations, the transition seems to be going fairly well thus far.
"Certainly, it's been a change in how we obtain antimicrobial agents in feed," she said, referring to the Food & Drug Administration's industry guidelines #209 and #213. "The importance of having a working relationship with a veterinarian, a familiarity of the veterinarian with your herd and the ability to prescribe for that herd, is essential."
But although the process is new, Simmons insists the idea of antimicrobial stewardship is not new to the industry.
"It's something that we have been doing," Simmons asserted. "The Beef Quality Assurance program has educational opportunities to inform our producers on best practices for antimicrobial or antibiotic use."
In fact, NCBA has compiled a manual with complete guidelines for an acceptable health maintenance program, available to producers for free online.
Listen to Dr. Simmons speak more about the cattle industry under the new VFD rule with Ron Hays, on today's Beef Buzz.
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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