VFD survey - one month to go
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EmailHow do you feel about VFD rules? Take our survey and tell us.
Recently I was on two farms; one had a VFD that was being used, the other did not. There were problems with dairy calves at each farm. In one case, fed antibiotics were being used too liberally, and in the other case, the use of fed antibiotics at strategic times may have reduced the high rate of injected antibiotics. What impact have the VFD rules had on your farm, or the farms of your clients?
Michigan State University Extension has been conducting a national survey of food animal producers to learn more about the impact of the VFD rules on practices and protocols, on animal health and on antibiotic use. The survey can be accessed here.
Whether the animals affected are cattle or hogs, poultry, sheep or goats, the VFD rules relate to all food animals. Questions include: Has the use of individual animal treatments changed? Has the rate of animal sickness or death changed? With respect to antibiotics and health, what would you like to learn more about? This is your opportunity to help us understand what the impacts have been on your health management of food animals.
The survey will only be open until August first, and we would like to hear from more producers. Please take the time to respond about the impact of the VFD rule changes. Michigan State University Extension is cooperating with Extension specialists and educators nationally. The input by food animal producers will help Extension better understand the needs and how best to respond with educational programs. Please take time to complete the survey during the month of July.