‘One Health’ approach needed to balance antibiotic usage, animal welfare
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
When it comes to responsible antibiotic management, there are wide-ranging views and interpretations on usage, impact, future direction and even terminology.
FDA’s antibiotic guidance and VFDs continue a smooth transition
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
It’s fast approaching 2 years since the FDA implemented its revised guidance for antibiotic use in food animals. At the center of the effort is the veterinary feed directive (VFD).
Shifting consumer trends require a more open dialogue
Feb 06, 2019Susan Spiegel
Baby boomers have long dominated the retail marketplace — and they’ve been loyal meat customers. But that dynamic is shifting as millennial and younger shoppers, who are less committed to meat as...
Measuring success and changing behaviors to reduce antibiotics use on hog farms
Jul 02, 2018Susan Spiegel
By Georgina Crayford, PhD
Senior Policy Advisor
National Pig Association, UK
What have we learned about antibiotic-resistant genes in groundwater?
Apr 21, 2018Susan Spiegel
Swine manure is a valuable resource for cropland, but understanding its potential impact on groundwater is an ongoing priority.
More planning required for feed medications in new VFD era
Mar 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Planning, paperwork and prevention are the priorities on hog farms in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) expanded veterinary feed directive (VFD), which came onto the scene in...
Is colostrum the ‘golden ticket’ to driving down antibiotic use?
Mar 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
UK swine farmers are being urged to recognize the value of giving newborn pigs good-quality colostrum as part of industry efforts to drive down antibiotics use.
Pork producers need to proactively communicate with consumers to change the dialogue
Jan 15, 2018Susan Spiegel
Pork producers and swine veterinarians need to take a more active role in consumers’ food conversations for them to get an accurate picture of how pigs are raised, said Tamika Sims, PhD, director...
Calls to cut antibiotics could hurt pig health, vet warns
Jan 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Calls to ban antibiotics for disease protection in pig and other livestock systems could damage animal welfare and compromise the United States’ food system, industry leaders say.
11 barriers to reducing antimicrobial use
Jan 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Inflexible production systems and high production costs are preventing pig producers from reducing antimicrobial use on pig farms, according to scientists.
New antibiotics targets announced for UK pig sector
Dec 28, 2017Susan Spiegel
UK pig produers are working to meet ambitious new targets to further reduce antibiotic use in the industry.
Greenway: ‘Don’t be afraid to engage’ consumers on antibiotics, welfare
Sep 28, 2017Susan Spiegel
Pork producers should find more ways to engage with consumers and share their stories about responsible antibiotic use and welfare, says Brad Greenway, America’s Pig Farmer of the Year in 2016.
Livestock farming standards to get boost under antimicrobial-resistance plan
Sep 17, 2017Susan Spiegel
The European Commission has unveiled plans to promote better global livestock farming standards in a bid to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals and humans.
Act now to find alternatives to antibiotics, producers told
May 19, 2017Susan Spiegel
US hog farmers should take a hard look at their production practices if they are to maintain herd health and manage illness in the face of tougher antibiotics rules, a veterinarian urges.
US government invests $11M into antimicrobial resistance research
May 08, 2017Susan Spiegel
The United States’ National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is investing $11 million into research that could help reduce the amount of antimicrobials used in pig production. The funding...
Pork producers will need more than VFD forms to pass an FDA audit
Apr 03, 2017PGT Editor
Complying with the new VFD requires pork producers to do more than establish a veterinary-client-patient relationship and retain printed or digital versions of the VFD forms for a minimum of 2 years.
