It’s now January 2017, and VFDs have gone into effect.  What does this mean for livestock producers?

Now producers who use medically important antibiotics will be required to obtain a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) from their veterinarian before they are allowed to purchase a Type B or Type C product containing these feed antibiotics, but only after they have established a good working relationship with their veterinarian called a veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR).  This VCPR is designed so the veterinarian can become familiar with your production system and to establish a strategy to minimize disease risk and other health issues based on your set up.

The veterinarian, distributor and producer must all keep copies of the VFD and maintain records in paper or electronic format for two years.  The FDA has the authority to come on the property of all three parties to inspect records.