Outdoor
The New Guidelines for Antibioticand Implant Use in Livestock
By Martha Crump
In January 2017, a new regulation from the United States food and Drug Administration (FDA) went into effect that required a prescription from a veterinarian called a veterinary feed directive, or VFD, to be in place in order for all medically important antibiotics that were being administered in feed and water. This Guidance for Industry (GFI) regulation was known as GFI#213, and brought 96 percent of all medically important antibiotic drugs used in water and feed for animals under veterinary oversight and limited their use for treatment, control, and prevention of specific diseases. As you might imagine this definitely impacted feedlots, but there also were some cow/calf producers that felt the impact as well.
Often, antibiotic-containing feed was used during known periods of stress, such as extended bad weather, relocation, or to prevent against foot rot or outbreaks of pink eye, even though those were “off-label uses.” Even when creep feeding calves, it is estimated that about 30 percent of the feeds used were available with some type of antibiotic in them. The economics of this type of antibiotic administration were preferred as on the average, feeding with a low level of antibiotic in feed for a few days might have an average cost of $1 per head compared to an injectable form at an average cost of $25 per head.
The FDA, among other groups, has long been watchful, and concerned, about antibiotics that are commonly used in both humans and animals. The shared concern is that possible overuse, including in animal feeds [or water], might lead to bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) becoming resistant to antibiotics. E. coli is a bacteria that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms, including humans. Most strains are harmless, but some have the ability to cause serious food poisoning.
To read more, pick up a copy of the July issue of NTFR Magazine. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By Jelly Cocanougher
What an extraordinary end to the Wise County Youth Fair – a fantastic opportunity for the Heart of a Champion participants to show. From rabbits to lambs, to pigs to dogs – we’ve seen it all. Through this unique event, the Heart of a Champion Livestock show aimed to promote confidence, friendship, and a sense of accomplishment within our amazing community. Everyone worked tirelessly to create an environment that fosters growth, camaraderie, and a shared passion for agriculture. Until next year!
By Tony Dean, [email protected]
If moisture is adequate, there are several winter annual grasses that dominate the landscape during early spring in Texas. One of the most common is Rescuegrass.
This winter annual is native to South America but grows over much of the United States and can be found in all ecoregions of Texas. Rescuegrass is easily recognized by its flat seed head.
Numerous seed heads produce seed that is transported by animals and can quickly spread to other areas.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Norman Winter | Horticulturist, Author, Speaker
The National Garden Bureau has designated 2024 as the ‘Year of the Angelonia’ and I am in full celebration mode. As I was preparing for my contribution to the celebration, I was, however, sent into taxonomic trauma.
For the last 26 years of deep love for the Angelonia, or summer snapdragon, I have told everyone via newspaper, radio and television that they were in the Scrophulariaceae family. Since most gardeners don’t like those words, I modified or simplified the snapdragon family, but somebody has tinkered with green industry happiness and moved Angelonia to the Plantaginaceae or plantain family. I immediately reached out to my friend Dr. Allen Ownings, Horticulture Professor Emeritus with the Louisiana State University AgCenter. I said, “Did you know this, or better yet, did you do it?” He said, as I expected, that the Taxonomist group had done it. This reminded me that someone once said taxonomists have to eat, too.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
-
Country Lifestyles1 year agoScott & Stacey Schumacher: A Growth Mindset
-
Equine8 months agoThe Will to Win
-
Country Lifestyles7 years agoStyle Your Profile – What your style cowboy hat says about you and new trends in 2017
-
Country Lifestyles4 years agoAmber Crawford, Breakaway Roper
-
HOME7 years agoGrazing North Texas – Wilman Lovegrass
-
Country Lifestyles7 years agoDecember 2016 Profile, Rusty Riddle – The Riddle Way
-
Outdoor9 years agoButtercup or Primrose?
-
Country Lifestyles8 years agoJune 2016 Profile – The man behind the mic: Bob Tallman