Added Workload for Veterinarians

One of the many concerns, producers have with the Veterinary Feed Directive is the fact that it will require veterinarians to prescribe all their feeds. When producers see an animal or herd of cattle fall ill, they need to get antibiotics into them soon. However, with the VFD program, producers will need to contact their vet, who will possibly have to travel to do a farm visit. Depending on how far away your local vet is, this could take anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours.

Vets should know each producers herd.

There is already a shortage of large animal veterinarians in many states, including North Dakota. According to the FDA only 7% of veterinarians work mainly with food animals. Compared to the 67% of veterinarians that practice on small animals, such as pets, this is a very small number of vets who will be licences verify feed additives.  The vets are already stretched thin with all their work and territory they cover.

To help solve this problem, producers need to have a strong relationship with their veterinarian. The American Veterinary Medical Association says that a vet should know the operation well enough to treat any disease. The Vet should make visits regularly to see the livestock to maintain a working relation. When the veterinarian knows the producers operation it makes it easier for them to prescribe medications in a timely manner.

So while the VFD will add to the work load of veterinarians, if producers keep a strong working relationship with there vets, the VFD will be successful.