On January 1st 2017 the Food and Drug Administration’s new regulations for on-farm antibiotic use takes effect. Pork producers must be ready for these new guidelines.

To make sure you don’t miss a step, use the USCARE Checklist.

Understand the new veterinary feed directive and water prescriptions rules - As of
Jan. 1, 2017, growth promotion use of medically important antibiotics will not be allowed. Only therapeutic use for a specific animal health conditions will be allowed under the direction of a veterinarian.

Strengthen your veterinary-client-patient relationship by scheduling regular herd visits with your veterinarian to review herd health monitoring and health strategies.

Communicate with your feed supplier to make sure they are ready for the new VFD record-keeping procedures and they have proper feed delivery protocols in place.

Assess your herd health and welfare strategies with your veterinarian to maximize herd health and reduce the need for antibiotic use.

Renew your commitment to responsible antibiotic use by staying current with PQA Plus and making it part of your worker education program.

Finally, ensure you keep copies of your VFDs for two years and water medication prescriptions for one year.

To see the entire USCARE Check List and other antibiotic resources, go to pork.org/antibiotics.

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