Posted on February 17, 2016 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Dr. Al Schultz, Vita Plus vice president of technical services
Question: How will the new VFD rules affect my calf program?
Answer: We hear considerable argument about the factors contributing to the loss of antibiotic efficacy and the role animal agriculture plays in it. In general, the public has been led to the conclusion that antibiotics are overused in agriculture and contribute to the resistance problem. Critics of our current regulatory framework have called for the removal of all antibiotics from livestock production. Meanwhile, many food retailers and restaurants are offering products produced from animals that are “antibiotic-free,” hoping to appeal to a market segment attracted to these claims.