Producers eye vaccines, sanitation, biosecurity following new VFD rules

Increased use of vaccines and better sanitation and biosecurity are the two most common changes livestock and poultry producers are making in response to the loss of shared use antibiotics imposed by the updated veterinary feed directive that took effect on January 1, 2017, according to a new study.

Other strategies cited by respondents included co-mingling of animals, changes in facilities, the use of immune modulators, changes in genetics and changes in the use of feed additives. The most common change in feed additives was increased use of probiotics.

More than 90% of poultry producers responding indicated they were changing one or more feed additives in response to the loss of antibiotics.

Poultry producers also appeared to be the most prepared for the loss of antibiotics, www.poultryworld.net reports on the survey, conducted by Brakke Consulting, Inc. late in 2016.

Read the entire report here.