American Farm Bureau Federation just rolled out its 36th Annual Survey on the average cost of this year's classic Thanksgiving Dinner for 10. It is $53.31 - less than $6.00 per person - but 14% higher than last year. Turkeys, the pièce de résistance and centerpiece of most Thanksgiving tables, will cost about $1.50 a [...]
For more than a year, COVID-19 vaccines have dominated headlines, television coverage and stirred-up heated debates and protests over vaccination mandates. But flying under the radar has been a significant development in livestock health - and for the global meat protein supply. On September 30, USDA's Agriculture Research Service (ARS) announced that one of its [...]
The FDA recently issued Guidance for Industry (GFI) #263 which is its final recommendation for the remaining OTC antibiotics used in animal health care. Issued on June 11, 2021, manufacturers of antibiotics which were listed as medically important in GFI #213 have two years to change remaining formulations from OTC to Rx status. This change [...]
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Penicillin Injectable is no longer available under the Durvet brand name, in accordance with the rulings of GFI #263. Stay informed about the latest developments by signing up for updates on GFI #263 and its impact on dealers, producers, and consumers. Discover alternative products that meet your animal health needs at www.DurvetPrevent.com. [...]
On January 1, 2017, the world of over-the-counter (OTC) animal health antibiotics changed. This was the end of a three-year transition for manufacturers of feed grade and water-soluble antibiotics to change their product labels, removing growth promotion claims and restricting these items to veterinary oversight. Up until recently, injectable, bolus and intra-mammary antibiotic formulations did [...]
VFD - In The Know As a dealer you can still sell antibiotics, but only if your customers present a VFD or prescription. If you choose to sell products included in the GFI #213 list you will be subject to additional compliance obligations set forth by the CVM including, but not limited to, the following: [...]
At the United Nations General Assembly in September, Secretary Alex Azar, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), unveiled plans for a worldwide offensive against antimicrobial resistance. The initiative is known as “The AMR Challenge” is a far-reaching effort to slow antibiotic resistance. It will enlist forces from both the human and veterinary medical [...]
Starting January 1, 2017, the use of feed additive antibiotics will be changed forever! Scientists have been recommending this change for many years as the misuse and overuse of antibiotics has led to a decrease in their effectiveness. Some common antibiotic misconceptions and subsequent consequences are: Antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Viruses are the [...]
One animal health expert summed up the options livestock producers, ranchers and integrated food operations have, now that the FDA’s Veterinary Feed Directive restricts sales and purchases of antibiotics over the counter. Aidan Connolly, chief innovation officer for Alltech, offered three choices: Simply do nothing. Replace antibiotics with gut health programs. Take a holistic approach. [...]
Will New Administration Try to Mitigate Rules on Antibiotics Usage in Food Animal Production? The short answer: probably not. Furthermore, dealers shouldn’t change their preparations to comply with the new rules governing the judicious use of antibiotics in food animal production, as we have been stressing for more than a year in ProfitBuilder. President Obama [...]
