WASHINGTON — Starting January 1st, 2017 the distribution of antibiotics in animal agriculture went through a major overhaul. These changes affected farmers of all sizes and farms needed to incorporate changes to help them adapt to the new rules and regulations. Various different land-grant universities have partnered to take a look at the effect of the implemented VFD regulation had on livestock production. To do this they are asking that all livestock producers take the time to respond to a nationwide survey to help determine if VFD rules have impacted animal health, use of antibiotics in animal feed or had an economic impact on farms.
In order to gain a better understanding of how these changes have affected livestock production, educators, specialists and Extension personnel at Michigan State University and other land grant universities compiled an electronic survey that poses questions regarding the financial and management impacts of VFD regulations. Questions regarding herd and flock health, changes to production practices, health/veterinary costs, total antibiotic use on the farm and the need for further education or programming on any topic regarding the VFD regulation are included in the survey.
Farmers, of any size, that raise food production animals are being asked to respond to this nationwide survey regarding the implementation of VFD regulation. This online survey is completely anonymous and can be accessed through the following link: https://tinyurl.com/VFDSurvey.
Producers can also respond to the online survey using the QR code, which they can scan with a QR Code reader application on their phone, that takes them directly to the electronic survey.
If farmers do not wish to communicate electronically they can receive a paper survey by contacting MSU Extension educator Beth Ferry by phone at 269-876-2745, email at franzeli@msu.edu or by mail at 1737 Hillandale Road Benton Harbor, MI 49022.
The information compiled from the survey responses will help us better understand the effect of VFD regulations for livestock producers and assist with targeting educational and programing needs of farmers.
–Michigan State University
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