Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Dr. Ron Lemenager Beef Extension Specialist

Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Purpose: Document judicious use of medically important, feed-grade antibiotics Purpose: Document judicious use of medically important, feed-grade antibiotics All segments of the beef industry are included: All segments of the beef industry are included: – Cow-calf – Replacement heifers and bulls – Stocker/background – Feedyards – 4-H and FFA animals

Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) What is a VFD? What is a VFD? – Similar to a prescription, but more detailed It does not apply to injectables, or over-the-counter drugs It does not apply to injectables, or over-the-counter drugs – Water-soluble medications require a veterinary Rx Once signed by a veterinarian it becomes active Once signed by a veterinarian it becomes active Must be kept on file for 2 years Must be kept on file for 2 years – What it includes Where animals are located (can be multiple locations) Where animals are located (can be multiple locations) Group of animals to be treated Group of animals to be treated What disease is to be treated What disease is to be treated Antibiotic (antimicrobial) being prescribed Antibiotic (antimicrobial) being prescribed – Feeding rate, Duration, Expiration date (or 6 mo)

Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) “Extra-label use” of a medicated feed “Extra-label use” of a medicated feed – Not permitted – Can only be used according to label and VFD Dosage Dosage Species Species

Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Effective date: January 1, 2017 Effective date: January 1, 2017 What’s needed? What’s needed? – Good VCP relationship (professional supervision) – VFD written by licensed veterinarian – VFD must be presented to feed supplier/distributor – Feeds containing a VFD drug/combination Must be fed according to label Must be fed according to label Cannot be fed after expiration date (unless renewed) Cannot be fed after expiration date (unless renewed) – Maintain records for minimum of 2 yr.

Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Check with your suppliers Check with your suppliers – Are they going to continue selling antimicrobials? – If not, what’s Plan B? Opportunity Opportunity – A good VCP to help build stronger herd immunity – Reduce need for antibiotic treatment – Areas to consider: Nutrition and vaccinations Nutrition and vaccinations Facility updates and low-stress cattle handling Facility updates and low-stress cattle handling

Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Commonly used feed-grade antibiotics Commonly used feed-grade antibiotics – Chlortetracycline (CTC) – Aureomycin Only label claim is for respiratory, enteric diseases, and anaplasmosis Only label claim is for respiratory, enteric diseases, and anaplasmosis Cannot be used for growth promotion, footrot or pinkeye Cannot be used for growth promotion, footrot or pinkeye – Tylan (feedlot for liver abcesses) – Ionophores and anti-coccidials are excluded Rumensin, Bovatec, Cattlyst Rumensin, Bovatec, Cattlyst Corid (amprolium) Corid (amprolium) Unless used in combination with antibiotic (ex. Tylan, CTC) Unless used in combination with antibiotic (ex. Tylan, CTC)

Comments on Anaplasmosis CTC as a preventative (or treatment) CTC as a preventative (or treatment) – Visit with your veterinarian to develop a plan At least 6 counties in So. Indiana At least 6 counties in So. Indiana Blood-born disease (vector = wood tick) Blood-born disease (vector = wood tick) – Biting flies – 3-6 wk for symptoms to develop – Cattle >3 yr most sever clinical signs (30-50% mort.) – Carrier animals (infected calves, recovered animals)

Comments on Anaplasmosis Make sure to clean processing equipment Make sure to clean processing equipment – Ear taggers, tattooing equipment – Castration knives – Needles (6/10) – Dehorning equipment