Regulations coming in 2017

As we approach the end of the year there are two approaching regulations we here at New Pittsburg Large Animal Clinic would like to remind our producers about.  The first is the ban on tail docking which goes into effect January 1, 2017.  After that time it will be illegal in the state of Ohio for dairy producers to routinely dock the tails of their animals without a medical need.  Broken tails or other situations where removing the tail is deemed medically necessary by a veterinarian are still allowed so long as the tail is removed by the veterinarian.

The second regulation is the full implementation of the Veterinary Feed Directive or VFD.  This will also come into effect January 1st, 2017.  The VFD changes the laws governing food grade antibiotics of medical importance.  This will have a much smaller effect on the dairy industry than the swine and poultry industries but there still may be some instances, where dairy producers will have to have a VFD issued for them.  What this law does is make any antibiotic designed to be mixed with feed a prescription medication that requires a written script or "VFD".  This does not include ionophores such as Rumensin since they are not considered medically important.

 The most likely situation in which a dairy farmer would have to have a VFD issued for them would be where you are feeding chlorotetracycline or Aureomycin crumbles for respiratory disease in replacement heifers.  You will no longer be able to purchase these products or have them mixed into a feed without a VFD in place.  The new regulations for feed grade antibiotics also eliminate usage for prevention of disease, because of this most all medicated milk replacers will be removed from the market.

If you have any questions on either of these issues please don't hesitate to call us here at New Pittsburg Large Animal Clinic or talk to one of the veterinarians when they are out on the farm.