There are several things to keep in mind when choosing medicated cattle feeds. These include labeling, preconditioning and additives.
Contents
Preconditioning
Preconditioning medicated cattle feed helps improve the health of the calves, while also boosting their sale premiums. Preconditioning includes weaning the calves before shipping them to the feedlot, preventing diseases, and increasing their weight.
Many calf-feeding operations are willing to invest in preconditioned calves. Despite the increased costs of the program, producers are likely to receive a higher premium for the calves.
The effectiveness of a preconditioning program depends on the availability of forage and feed resources. This may also affect consumer preference, which can vary from year to year. It’s important to work with a local veterinarian to develop a plan.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics in medicated cattle feed improve the efficiency and growth of the animals. They also treat sick animals and prevent infectious diseases. These antibiotics are commonly used in the production of meat and dairy products. However, there are certain limitations of using them.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deems antibiotic resistance a threat to the health of both human and animal populations. For this reason, the agency has taken measures to control the use of antibiotics. Among the factors that determine the therapeutic use of antibiotic drugs is the indications and withdrawal time of the drug.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are non-digestible food components. They provide a source of nutrients for normal bacteria to grow. However, they do not have a direct effect on calf health. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the use of these products in calf diets.
Microbial-based products can help improve calf health. They can mitigate the harsh conditions that can occur in developing rumens. Some studies have shown that they can increase rumen pH, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and microbial protein production. Using these products in calf diets could reduce the occurrence of diarrhea, coliform, and scours.
Common additives
The production of animal feed has increased in recent years, driven by the increasing demand for meat protein. Many additives are being used to enhance the nutritional value of livestock diets.
Some common additives include: Zinc-methionine, yeast culture, sweeteners, enzymes, acidifiers, flavors, probiotics, and antibacterial agents. These additives alter the digestion, metabolism, and production of feed. Other additives combat weight loss, disease, and nutrient deficiencies.
Medicated feed additives require the proper use at the recommended dose. For example, ionophores are the most commonly used additives in the beef cattle industry. They target bacterial species that produce methane.
Obtaining a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD)
A Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) is a document that identifies the type and dosage of a medication used in animal feed. The VFD can be a paper or electronic document.
A VFD must be issued in accordance with the Federal Veterinary Clinical Practice Rule (VCPR) and State VCPRs. It may also be accompanied by a veterinarian’s clinical judgment, as long as it is in the context of a valid VFD-client-patient relationship.
VFDs are also regulated by the Animal Drug Availability Act of 1996. This law requires veterinarians to be licensed in the state where the cattle are located and to issue VFDs in a manner consistent with the VCMR.
Obtaining a new VFD after expiration of VFD
If you’re a veterinarian, you’ll have to decide on an expiration date for your VFD. This may depend on the type of VFD you’re using and the number of animals in your herd or flock.
For most veterinarians, a good expiration date for a VFD is at least six months. In other words, you’ll have to wait a while to feed your animals. The most important thing is to follow the rules.
If you want to write a VFD, you’ll need a VFD form. These may be electronic or paper. However, paper will be more expensive and unwieldy.
Tylosin and monensin
Monensin and tylosin are two antibiotics that are used in medicated cattle feed to promote improved udder health and to reduce bloat. These two compounds have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Tylosin is a macrolide antibiotic, which is commonly used to treat bacterial pneumonia caused by P. multocida. It is also used for bacterial enteritis due to E. coli. However, it is not approved for use with animals that cannot handle oxytetracycline.
Monensin is a polyether antibiotic. It is used in feeds to improve udder health and feed efficiency in dairy cows. In addition to improving feed efficiency, monensin helps to decrease coccidiosis, which is caused by E. bovis and E. tenella.
Labels of medicated cattle feeds
If you’re buying medicated feed for cattle, make sure you’re reading the label correctly. This can help you avoid making mistakes that could affect the health of your animals.
There are several things to watch out for when it comes to medicated feed labels. In general, you’ll want to know which ingredients are in the product, how it’s packaged, and what it does. Also, check for any withdrawal periods or special directions for use.
A label with accurate information can save you money and help keep your animals healthy. Some examples include a guaranteed analysis, an ingredient list, and a warning statement.
