Farm & Ranch
Read the Label – Withdrawal Time
By Jessica Crabtree and Dr. Jered Harlan, DVM
While the topic of antibiotic use in animals for consumption leaves people questioning its relevance, veterinarians are working to bridge that gap of understanding. Veterinarians such as Dr. Jered Harlan want producers to administer such medication properly and be educated about the substance so they are able to answer consumers when questions arise.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made it their mission to ensure that all antibiotics used are done so in the most cautious way. Now that the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) has been put in place since Jan. 1 of this year, changes have been established such as elimination of the growth promotion use of human medically important antibiotics and expanding the list of feed-grade antibiotics classified as VFD drugs.
Plainly put, the majority of feed-grade antibiotics used in or on animal feeds that have been available to producers over the counter without the approval of a vet will now be subject to VFD drug guidelines.
Therefore, VFD rules allow producers and vets the opportunity to work closely together for the purpose of maintaining the animals’ optimal health. For years producers have been educated on proper methods of antibiotic use and have been held to compliance. The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program has been training beef producers about the safe and appropriate use of antibiotics since the 1980s.
To read more pick up a copy of the March 2017 NTFR issue.
By Heather Welper
Husband and wife duo, Heather and Calvin Welper, are the Co-Owners and Operators or Two C Livestock, located in Valley View, Texas.
The pair’s operation has a show cattle focus where they raise and sell purebred heifers of all breeds and club calf Hereford steers.
When it comes to show cattle, the Welpers know a thing or two including how to prepare for the cold winter months and the Texas major show season run.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Hannah Claxton, Editor
As the sun rises each day, so do the dozens of mouths that Meghan McGovern is responsible for getting fed. Rather than the sounds of a rooster crowing, McGovern hears the bellows and bleats of a variety of exotic deer, the chortle of kangaroos, the grunts of water buffaloes, and the chirps of a lemur.
Nestled against the banks of the Red River, the Double M Ranch and Rescue, with its high game fences and deer sprinkling the landscape,s its in stark contrast to the surrounding ranches.
“Having deer is kind of like eating potato chips- you can never actually have just one,” said McGovern with a laugh.
McGovern has several herds to take care of- fallow deer, axis deer, water buffalo, goats, and bison. In smaller numbers, there’s also a few kangaroos, a lemur, a potbelly pig, a pair of zebras, a watusi, and a few horses.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM, MPH
With the prolonged drought, most pastures in Oklahoma end up in poor condition. With the lack of available forage, animals may go in search of alternative foods.
If oak trees are in the pastures, acorns may be a favorite meal for some livestock in the fall. This may result in oak poisoning.
Oak leaves, twigs, buds, and acorns may be toxic to some animals when consumed.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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