March 29, 2024

Educational series to help livestock industry prepare for veterinary feed directive

AMES – Are you prepared for implementation of the Veterinary Feed Directive on Jan. 1, 2017?

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa Farm Bureau and Iowa Veterinary Medical Association are partnering to offer an educational series about the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD).

Iowa State Extension beef program specialist Chris Clark said Iowa veterinarians, livestock producers and feed industry personnel are invited to participate.

“The program will include a general overview of the VFD, species break-outs, and discussion panels featuring veterinarians, producers, and feed industry personnel,” Clark said. “The implementation date of Jan. 1, 2017, is approaching and at this point people may have some specific questions or scenarios that they are unsure about. Hopefully we can help answer some questions and clarify some of those issues.”

Iowa veterinarians, livestock producers and feed industry personnel are invited to attend any of the 11 session locations. Each program features breakout and discussion sessions, with a primary objective of helping attendees learn about the roles and responsibilities of all involved parties.

“Implementation of the VFD will require cooperation and communication between veterinarians, producers, and feed industry personnel,” Clark said. “It’s important that each party knows not only their own responsibilities but also what to expect from the other two parties. It may be really valuable to hear what others are thinking and planning in regard to implementation of the VFD.”

The series runs from Aug. 22 through Sept. 1 with specific times set for each location. There is no fee to attend, but preregistration is encouraged to assist organizers with planning. Register by calling the number associated with the session you would like to attend.

Thursday, Sept. 1, 1 to 4 p.m. – Carpenters Hall, Chariton RSVP to the Lucas County Extension Office, 641-774-2016

For more general information, contact Clark at 712-250-0070 or email at caclark@iastate.edu You also can contact your regional Iowa State Extension livestock specialist.

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IBC was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state's beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from Iowa State Extension and Outreach, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and College of Veterinary Medicine, and works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. For more information about IBC, visit www.iowabeefcenter.org.