Farm Foundation Workshops Examine Antimicrobial Use

John DavisAg Group, Agribusiness

farm foundationA series of workshops will talk about medically-important antimicrobial drugs in food animals. Farm Foundation is targeting livestock producers, their feed suppliers and veterinarians across the United States, with some of the earliest targets in the Southeast. That’s why the group is highlighting its workshop on Aug. 25, 2015, at the Bailey Center Auditorium on the campus of Wallace State Community College, 801 Main St., NW, Hanceville, Alabama.

This free workshop is an opportunity for participants to gain a comprehensive understanding of two Guidance for Industry (GFIs) issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the use of medically-important antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals, as well as FDA’s revised Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). The workshop is also an opportunity for other stakeholders, such as state and federal agencies, colleges of veterinary medicine and university extension personnel, to gain insights into the changes needed to meet the requirements.

Led by Farm Foundation, NFP, this workshop is targeted to pork, cattle, poultry and sheep producers, veterinarians and feed suppliers in Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Missouri. Advance registration is requested and can be completed online. This is one of 12 regional workshops Farm Foundation will host across the nation in the next three months. A complete list of workshop locations is available on the Farm Foundation website.

The Aug. 25 workshop will include presentations by producer leaders, the local veterinary community, and representatives from the regional feed industry. Officials from FDA and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will also participate. A major part of the agenda is designated for producers, veterinarians and feed suppliers to identify and discuss the management challenges ahead.

Comments gathered at the 12 workshops will be compiled in a report assessing the economic and physical challenges facing producers as they implement the new provisions in the GFIs and revised VFD.