Free Seminars Prepare Farmers For Veterinary Feed Directive

AVA — There are major changes coming regarding the way farmers use antibiotics in the food and water of our farm animals.

Effective January 1, 2017, the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) will be enacted under control of the Food and Drug Administration, which will restrict the use of certain antibiotics in the food and water of farm animals to that prescribed by a licensed veterinarian.

Farmers, ranchers, those selling medicated feeds, and veterinarians will all be affected.

Prepare for the VFD by attending evening seminars offered by University of Missouri Extension. Dr. Graig Payne, MU Extension veterinarian, will present free VFD seminars with the latest updates at three southwest Missouri locations.

In southwest Missouri, the free program is currently being planned for the following dates.

Laclede County Extension Center in Lebanon, 6:30 p.m., Nov. 1.

Douglas County Livestock Auction in Ava, 6:30 p.m., Nov. 2.

West Plain Extension Center in West Plains, 6:30 p.m., Nov. 10.

For more information, contact any of the MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Lawrence County, (417) 466-3102; Andy McCorkill in Dallas County at (417) 345-7551; Dr. Randy Wiedmeier, in Douglas County at (417) 679-3525; or Dr. Patrick Davis in Cedar County at (417) 276-3313.