There is a new rule in town regarding the purchase and use of livestock feed containing medication.
There has been some hullabaloo over it from some parties, but, quite frankly, I think it’s overrated.
It has caught enough attention that I’ve invited a professor/veterinarian from Texas A&M to come and visit with local producers this coming Monday, Jan 16 at 6:30 pm. Our featured speaker, Dr. Tom Hairgrove, is a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Professor and Livestock Health Specialist.
His topics will include the Veterinarian Feed Directive (VFD) and other topics. There is no fee for Monday night’s program.
Last week in this column we discussed an old livestock health issue that once again made its way onto an island in the Florida Keys. We learned about the history of the screwworm and it’s elimination from our country. Over the past week, I’ve visited with some folks that do remember the dropping of the sterile male flies.
I’ve gotten a lot of questions about it. “What is the reason for this new rule?” “Will I be able to get the same medicated feed?” And even “Will this make beef more expensive?”
Looking to the VFD, let’s review what it is.
Before enacting the VFD in 1996, the FDA recognized two categories of animal drugs: over-the-counter and prescription. Because requiring prescriptions for animal feeds containing antibiotics was considered impractical, medicated feeds were classified as over-the-counter.
In 1996, the FDA added a third category, VFD drugs, to the list. Significant amendments, known as the Second VFD Rule, were published in June 2015. The VFD concept attempts to balance the need for antibiotic use to protect animal health with concern about how the overuse of antibiotics both in the livestock industry and in human medicine might contribute to antibiotic resistance.
The revised VFD rules ensure that antimicrobial drugs are used for therapeutic (to treat sick animals), rather than production purposes and that licensed veterinarians supervise such use.
Will you be able to get medicated feed? Yes, provided you have veterinarian give you a “feed directive.”
Now, just like prescribed medication, a vet will have to provide you with instruction and proper
documentation to purchase medicated feed.
As every good stockman knows, you must have a good relationship with a competent veterinarian. Such a relationship has, and continues to be, an asset to any livestock operation.
