To assist stakeholders involved with veterinary feed directives – veterinarians, VFD feed distributors (medicated feed mills, feed retailers) and clients (owners or other caretakers of the animals) the FDA has finalized Guidance for Industry (GFI) #120: Veterinary Feed Directive Regulation Questions and Answers. While the core recommendations in final GFI #120 remain the same … [Read more...]
Search Results for: VFD
VFD forced beekeepers and veterinarians together
Since the 2017 implementation of the veterinary feed directive, beekeepers and veterinarians are learning from one another. It was a surprise to the bee community. They did not anticipate the rule, which restricts beekeepers from using certain antimicrobials in honeybees without a veterinary feed directive or prescription from a veterinarian. It won’t take many years to get us … [Read more...]
VFD audits. What to expect
Global VetLink recently held a webinar featuring presenters representing industry segments affected by the expanded veterinary feed directive (VFD) rules. General consensus surrounded rules and records. Follow the rules, keep good records and you shouldn’t have to worry about FDA audits John Maday presents information about the VFD and inspections in a question and answer … [Read more...]
VFD, one year later
To explore firsthand experiences and client challenges through the first year of the VFD rules, John Maday asked a group of bovine veterinarians from around the country to summarize their experiences. Mike Appley, DVM, believes the VFD has helped generate collaboration between veterinarians and clients in developing better disease-prevention protocols including vaccinations, … [Read more...]
What you can’t do with a VFD
Some livestock producers are feeling pinched by what a VFD can’t do. However, these new rules can do one very valuable thing: give livestock producers an opportunity to interact with local veterinarians who can best guide them through health-related decisions about their animals. Source: Drovers, November 23, 2017. Since the VFD’s implementation, many of the … [Read more...]
Producers learning to live with VFD
Those in the swine business discovered in the last year that the VFD process is more than just having a veterinarian’s signature on a piece of paper. Because there is no allowance for using feed-grade medications in an off-label manner, veterinarians completing the VFDs have had to pay extreme attention to every detail on the label, including the dose, duration of feeding, … [Read more...]
South Dakota veterinarian shares VFD experiences
Veterinarian Corale Dorn of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, said transitioning to VFD protocols isn't difficult as long as there's already a healthy veterinary-client-patient relationship. She sees the VFD as an opportunity to improve animal health and safeguard public health. Source: AgWeek, April 17, 2017. Dr. Dorn doesn't think the VFD should be looked at as just another … [Read more...]
VFD farm visits must pass the smell test
Tom Burkgren, DVM, AASV executive director, speaks out on the importance of the farm visit as part of the new VFD requirements. He calls for swine veterinarians to keep the integrity of the veterinary-client-patient-relationship valid and professional. “A farm visit by a veterinarian for the sole purpose of meeting a regulatory requirement may not pass the smell test,” he … [Read more...]
Get in line with VFD
January 1st came and brought a new set of rules and questions. This article reconfirms the regulatory details and offers some questions for producers should ask themselves before inspections occur. They include: Did you keep copies of VFD orders for at least two years? Did you feed the authorized number of animals on the VFD order? Did you feed VFD feed for … [Read more...]
Pig producers are VFD ready
In a survey conducted by the National Pork Board in November, 95 percent of pig farmers surveyed said that they were ready to be fully compliant by the time the rules took effect on Jan. 1, 2017. Source: National Hog Farmer, January 9, 2017. Jan Archer, NPB president and a pig farmer from Goldsboro, N.C. noted a key hurdle in complying with new FDA rules is ensuring that … [Read more...]
17 days left to become VFD compliant
Despite tremendous educational efforts, many producers and veterinarians remain unclear on the details about using medicated feeds for prevention, control and treatment of disease in their herds effective January 1, 2017. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, December 5, 2016. FDA officials have indicated their enforcement activities will focus on education during the initial months … [Read more...]
VFD, the law every DVM needs to know
The title,“VFD: The law every food doc needs to know,” is true. But, many suburban veterinarians will be affected by this law thanks to the many acreages and the increasing popularity of goats. Even beekeepers are subject to VFD regulations. Source: DVM 360, November 2016, page 18. The new regulations go into effect on January 1, 2017. INSIGHTS: The scramble to be … [Read more...]
VFD point-of-sale tool available
The veterinary feed directive (VFD) takes effect January 1, 2017. Owners of smaller livestock operations, or those who keep food animals as pets, may not have established relationships with veterinarians. Farm Foundation, NFP and the Animal Health Institute have partnered to develop a point-of-sale tool that retailers can use to help customers understand the VFD. It is … [Read more...]
Know which products need a VFD before time runs out
The veterinary feed directive (VFD) takes effect January 1, 2017. Here’s a handy list of products affected by the new rule compiled by the National Pork Board and the University of Wisconsin. Source: AGDAILY, November 10, 2016. A VFD can only be issued from a licensed veterinarian, based on a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship, before a producer may use feeds … [Read more...]
How the VFD applies to anaplasmosis
Anasplasmois is caused by Anaplasmo marginale, a blood parasite. The parasite is transferred between animals by blood contamination, often caused by blood-sucking insects. It is common in the South and in some parts of the country, clinical anaplasmosis can occur year-round. The new Veterinary Feed Directive allows for treatment. Source: Progressive Cattleman, November, … [Read more...]
Youth swine exhibitors VFD guide available
The Pork Checkoff has released “Youth Swine Exhibitors’ Guide to New Antibiotic Rules” and it is available at no charge. Source: The Pork Checkoff. As of January 1, 2017, youth swine exhibitors, parents and project advisors will face major changes regarding access to feed and water medications for show pigs. INSIGHTS: In addition to this guide, there are more resources in … [Read more...]
6 steps to take before VFD becomes effective
Much has been written about VFD including these five posts on Animal Health Digest: More on VFD FDA pilot program begins on-farm VFD inspections VFD tools for clients available for free Apiary owners must bee ready for VFD Common VFD form format part of FDA final guidelines This great infographic reminds producers of the steps that need to be taken pretty … [Read more...]
Common VFD form format part of FDA final guidelines
FDA has issued final guidelines for veterinary feed directive (VFD) forms veterinarians will issue when authorizing the use of a medicated feed additive containing an antibiotic deemed medically important. The document provides examples that illustrate how a common VFD format might appear and how some of the information on the VFD may be pre-populated by an animal health … [Read more...]
Apiary owners must bee ready for VFD
New Veterinary Feed Directive regulations are will apply to beekeepers’ apiaries. Yes, bees are considered livestock by the federal government. European foulbrood is a bacterial disease that affects honeybee larvae before the capped state and is characterized by dead and dying larvae in the hive. It is treated with oxytetracycline sold under the trade name Terramycin and is … [Read more...]
VFD tools for clients available for free
Good record-keeping is critical to making the new Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) work well. As veterinarians help clients prepare to implement VFD by January 1, 2017, two new tools can help. Source: Beef, August 4, 2016. (registration required for download) Bill Halfman and Sandy Stuttgen have developed a VFD Order Records Summary Sheet, one a PDF-based download for paper … [Read more...]
FDA pilot program begins on-farm VFD inspections
A pilot program designed to help educate FDA auditors as they prepare for VFD implementation has been launched. Auditors are focusing on swine operations first since the pork industry has had a VFD requirement for more than a decade for tilmicosin, florfenicol and avilamycin. The main items producers should know how to answer prior to an inspector visiting their farm are shown … [Read more...]
More on VFD
The veterinary feed directive gets more explanation in two articles in this issue. The dynamics of veterinarian and nutritionist interactions are presented along with veterinarians’ perspectives on continuing industry progress. Source: Beef Vet, Summer 2016. With a consumer base that’s increasing removed from food production, yet relentlessly interested in it, the VFD could … [Read more...]
Backyard chickens and the VFD
A subscriber sent us this article about the chicken debate in Irving, Texas. This discussion represents issues in all American cities, suburbs and rural developments. VFD regulations apply to these animals as much as they do to those in a feedlot. Veterinarians who don’t plan to practice food animal medicine, must be well-versed in the VFD regulations. The law allows any … [Read more...]
AVMA offers help with VFD
As the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) becomes reality, AVMA offers expertise. Veterinarians wanting help filing VFDs can use a model form and instructions the association offers. VFD regulations require veterinarian oversight of antimicrobials in drug classes considered important to human medicine. Source: JAVMA News, March 2, 2016. The AVMA published the model form in … [Read more...]
VFD – repeat after me
We at AHD believe it is important to continue to offer quality resources about the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). Each time people review something important, there evidence that they achieve a new level of understanding. Thus, repetition helps. VFD is important, requires mutual engagement between veterinarians and clients. It will take time to get a VFD in place with each … [Read more...]
VFD – still much to do
“Ignorance of the law excuses no man from practicing it,” wrote, Addison Mizner, a 19th century architect. This quote is appropriate to Wes Ishmael’s article. It says many producers and some veterinarians are still unaware of how critical the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) and veterinary feed directive (VFD) are to future production practices. Source: Beef, … [Read more...]
Help producers prep for VFD implementation
During last week’s Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, Kerry Keffaber, DVM, advisor for scientific affairs at Elanco Animal Health, shared four ways producers can get ready to implement the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). Presented to members of the Livestock Publications Council, you’ll soon see more information in livestock media. There is opportunity in each of the … [Read more...]
VFD regulations affect dairies
We will tire of VFD articles almost before we get started. However, compliance and understanding come with repetition and multiple perspectives. Fred Gingrich, an Ohio DVM, concisely discusses VFD regulations from a product perspective. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 5, 2016. It is important to recognize what products are affected by these rules. For cattle, the … [Read more...]
Clearing up VFD confusion
Learn what is critical in the short term and what’s to come in 2016 from this review. Source: Beef Magazine, January 2016, page 36. Keep in mind that veterinarians will only be able to authorize label uses of the VFD antibiotics. Currently, any use of a feed drug other than according to the label is illegal. INSIGHTS: The noise about VFD slowed during the holidays. In … [Read more...]
Making a VFD game plan with Doc
The Drovers CattleNetwork Daily featured a great reminder of the need for the veterinary-client-patient relationship to be planned before being executed. Set to go into effect January 1, 2017, Veterinary Feed Directice (VFD) rules may seem like a long way away, but producers need to start working with their veterinarians now to develop plans. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork … [Read more...]