News Update
January 26, 2017
New VFD Rules
On Jan. 1, the impact of FDA’s veterinary feed directive (VFD) rule on some antibiotic drugs used in feed officially took effect. While it’s been in the process for a decade, and the rule became effective Oct. 1, 2015, the VFD labeling transition of feed-grade antimicrobials used to treat animals and considered “medically important” to human medicine was targeted to become complete on the first of the year.
It’s an issue of antimicrobial resistance. It’s a complex, multifactorial issue, said Mike Murphy, veterinary medical officer at the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), during a webinar hosted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) in October.
“One of the issues that drives antimicrobial resistance is use — use in animal medicine, human medicine, horticultural uses and other uses. And although this has been the subject of significant scientific and policy debate for decades, and things continue to evolve, the intent on the part of the agency is to implement measures that would address the public health concern while assuring that animal health needs are met,” Murphy said.
Continue reading the Angus Journal feature online.
Junior Livestock Auction Sets All-Time Record
The 2017 Auction of the Junior Livestock Champions sets a National Western Stock Show (NWSS) record with the top eight champion animals posting total sales of $442,500.
The standing room only crowd hollered as the Grand Champion Steer set a record selling for $135,000. The auction started with a bang when the Reserve Grand Champion Lamb sold for $34,000, exceeding last year’s bid by $6,000. The Reserve Grand Champion Steer sold for a record-breaking $107,500, exceeding last year’s bid of $70,000.
The money invested supports the junior exhibitors that raised the animal as they plan for their agricultural future and college educations. In addition, a portion of the proceeds support the National Western Scholarship Trust, which funds scholarships in agriculture and rural medicine at colleges throughout Colorado and Wyoming. This year 80 students received funds to aid their education.
Read more in the NWSS news release online.
Would You Give to This Charity Scam?
HumaneWatch.org, a project of the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom, announced a national commercial targeting the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
The ad, titled “Would You?” airs on the Fox News Channel and asks viewers whether they would give to a “humane society” that runs zero pet shelters or that paid millions of their donors’ contributions to settle a racketeering lawsuit. View the commercial online.
The HSUS is not affiliated with local humane societies that care for homeless pets. In fact, HSUS does not run a single pet shelter. In 2014, HSUS settled a racketeering lawsuit for nearly $11 million after it was caught paying a witness who lied in federal court. HSUS was also the subject of a “consumer alert” and civil investigative demands issued by Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt that year.
For more information, read the news release online.
Weiker Named NAAB President
Jay Weiker has been named the new president and CEO of the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) and its subsidiary Certified Semen Services Inc. (CSS). Weiker served as vice-president for NAAB the previous two years and now has accepted the overall leadership role of president as of Jan. 1, 2017. He will be based out of the new NAAB office in Madison, Wis.
Weiker will work closely with the NAAB and CSS Boards of Directors in leading the trade association. He will direct and supervise the NAAB staff in carrying out activities to promote and develop artificial insemination (AI) and the cattle breeding industry in the United States.
“We’re excited that Jay has accepted this new leadership role at NAAB,” states Charles Sattler, chairman of the Board of Directors. “Jay brings a wealth of AI business knowledge both domestically and internationally, as well as a lifetime of experience in the cattle breeding industry to his new position. He is a great asset to the association and we look forward to his contributions to the continued growth of the AI industry.”
For more information, view the NAAB news release online.
Farm to You to Connect Farmers with Customers
For anyone interested in learning more about Community Supported Agriculture, commonly known as CSA, or for those who know, but would like to find out how many options are available, they can attend the Farm to You: CSA Event Feb. 2.
Hosted by the University of Kentucky (UK) Center for Crop Diversification and Bluegrass Farm to Table, an initiative of Lexington’s Office of Economic Development, the event, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at West Sixth Brewing, 501 W. Sixth St., showcases at least 15 farm producers offering CSA shares in the Lexington area. The sponsors invite the public to browse the farms’ offerings for the upcoming growing season.
For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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