FDA Guidance Restricting Antibiotic Use Could Be Counterproductive

 

Farmers and ranchers will have to get a prescription from a veterinarian in order to use antibiotics in cattle, hogs and chickens under final regulatory guidance issued by the Food and Drug Administration that also prohibits medically-important drugs from being used to promote animal growth.

The National Pork Producers Council said the guidance will disproportionately affect small producers, have a negative effect on animal health and increase the cost of producing food while not improving public health. You can read a statement by the NPPC by clicking here.

FDA said the actions were necessary to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobial medicines used to treat disease in humans.

"It is critical that we take action to protect public health," said FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg.  "The new strategy will ensure farmers and veterinarians can care for animals while ensuring the medicines people need remain safe and effective."

But numerous peer-reviewed risk assessments, including at least one by FDA, show a "negligible" risk to human health of antibiotics use in food-animal production.

"FDA did not provide compelling evidence nor did it state that antibiotics use in livestock production is unsafe," said NPPC President R.C. Hunt, who pointed out that the agency already has authority to withdraw unsafe products. "Pork producers work with veterinarians to carefully consider if antibiotics are necessary and which ones to use and we use them to keep animals healthy and to produce safe food."  

Meanwhile, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association also weighed in on Wednesday afternoon- saying " NCBA is pleased that FDA has resisted unscientific calls to completely ban the use of antibiotics and antimicrobials in cattle and other livestock species. However, we remain concerned with regulatory actions that are not based on peer-reviewed science or that set the precedent to take animal care and health decisions out of the hands of veterinarians."  Click here for more details of what NCBA member Tom Talbot of California is saying about this latest move by the FDA. 

The Animal Health Institute, which represents drug manufacturers, pledged to work with regulators to implement the policy goals articulated in the guidance documents.  Click here to read AHI's response to the FDA guidance.

You can also read about a Kansas State study regarding misperceptions about antibiotic use in livestock by clicking here.

Canola TV - Ideal Conditions Encourage New Canadian County Canola Producer

Conditions for canola production have been almost perfect for some growers in Oklahoma and Jerry Lingo of Canadian County says he has high hopes for this year's crop. Participants in OSU's Canola Field Tour caught up with Lingo to take a look at his fields and hear his story. This is Lingo's second year to grow canola and his fields are looking good.

"We're looking forward to a great crop ahead of us. We haven't had many pest problems this year and everything looks good." 

Lingo said he decided to move away from continuous wheat and include canola to improve his fields.

"I had a few fields that needed to be cleaned up of rye grass, so I thought I'd try it on it. I also put it on a couple of places I don't graze cattle just to try and learn how to grow it."

He said prices, also, helped in the decision-making process.

"This year prices are almost double what wheat is and so that made it more appealing to plant more acres. I doubled my acres from last year to this year."

You can check out Jerry Lingo's interview on Canola TV by clicking here.  You can also find a link to pictures from the OSU Canola Field Tour. 

Extension Specialists to be Featured at Upcoming Southern Plains Farm Show

A series of cattle extension specialists will speak Friday, April 20, during Oklahoma City's Southern Plains Farm Show April 19-21 at State Fair Park.

Friday's line-up of extension talks will cover topics such as reinvesting in your beef herd and pasture recovery from drought. The sale and speaker series will be held in Carriage Hall, located in the east end of the Travel and Transportation Building. All extension presentations are free and open to the public.

The following is a schedule of Friday's scheduled speakers:
10-11 a.m. - Livestock Market Outlook and Reinvesting in the Beef Herd with Rodney Jones
11-11:30 a.m. - Livestock and Forage Insurance as Risk Management Tools with J.J. Jones
12-12:30 p.m. - Pasture Recovery Following Drought with Daren Redfearn
12:30-1 p.m. - Current Tax Issues with J.C. Hobbs
1-1:30 p.m. - Ag Leasing Issues with Shannon Ferrell

Farm show hours are Thursday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Also in the Carriage Hall, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau returns with its three-day Herd Builder cattle sale during the 2012 Southern Plains Farm Show.

For more information, contact Thad Doye at (405) 523-2307.

Don Williams, Others Nominated for Cattle Production Veterinarian Hall of Fame

One long-time Oklahoma veterinarian and four others representing more than 200 years of service in cattle production medicine, have been selected by their peers as nominees for the Cattle Production Veterinarian Hall of Fame.

Dr. Don Williams, the first company veterinarian for Hitch Enterprises in Guymon, Okla., and Dr. John Herrick were nominated in the beef cattle division. Dr. Lee Allenstein, Dr. Jim Jarrett, and Dr. Elmer Woelffer were nominated in the dairy cattle division.

"This year's nominees are true pioneers in cattle production medicine," said Mark Spire, D.V.M., technical services manager for Merck Animal Health. "Each nominee deserves this prestigious award because of how his work has changed the landscape of the industry."

Dr. Don Williams is a Texas native and received his veterinary medical degree from Texas A&M University. After 18 years in private practice in Texas and Oklahoma, he became the first company veterinarian for Hitch Enterprises in Guymon, Okla. He later moved into feedlot management for Henry C. Hitch Feedlot. Dr. Williams developed the first national preconditioning program and was instrumental in developing large-scale cattle health programs, feedlot personnel training and scientific-based approaches to animal-health management. He is a founding member of AVC and served on the organizing board of AABP. Dr. Williams also served as president of the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association, AABP and the National Cattlemen's Foundation.

Click here to read more about the Cattle Production Hall of Fame nominees.

Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program Class XVI Now Accepting Applications

Oklahomans who are engaged in the agricultural industry and are looking for a way to enhance their leadership skills should consider applying for the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program Class XVI. 

Since its inception in 1982, OALP has graduated 427 participants and continues to grow and offer class members new and exciting opportunities, said Edmond Bonjour, OALP director.     

The program is open to Oklahoma men and women between the ages of 25 and 45 who are engaged in production agriculture or a related agricultural business.

Applications for OALP's Class XVI are available online by clicking here. The deadline for submitting an application and letters of reference is May 1. Those interested are encouraged to apply early. The class size is limited to 30 participants.  

As many of you are aware- I was a part of Class One of this program- and have been a part of it since then as I have served on the Advisory Board that helps OSU in guiding this program.  This program's graduates have done amazing things for rural Oklahoma since it all began back in the early 1980s- and I would encourage you to seriously consider being a part of Class 16- my phone number is at the bottom of this email- if you have questions about taking that first step- don't hesitate to give me a call- I would be honored to talk to you.  

Click here to read more about OALP and its objectives. 

Chesapeake Energy, OACD to Celebrate Stewardship Week in Oklahoma

As part of their continued commitment to Oklahoma and the health of its environment, Chesapeake Energy Corporation and the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) announced they will partner in celebrating Stewardship Week in Oklahoma, April 29 through May 6, 2012.

"We are honored that Chesapeake Energy is partnering with us to recognize the hard work of agriculture producers and other landowners in conserving our soil, water, air, wildlife habitats and other natural resources," Joe Parker, president of OACD said. "We are deeply appreciative of Chesapeake's continued support of our state's farmers, ranchers and other landowners and all they do to protect the environment. It's also important that we educate all Oklahomans on the importance of the stewardship ethic and the need to care for our environment. We are glad to have Chesapeake working with us to do this."

Stewardship Week is one of the world's largest conservation-related observances. Since 1955, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and OACD have sponsored the national Stewardship Week program. During the week, local conservation districts work with media outlets, communities, faith-based groups and local schools to promote the concept of stewardship. The concept involves personal and social responsibility, including a duty to learn about and improve natural resources so we use them wisely and leave a rich legacy for future generations.

To read more about Stewardship Week, please click here. 

House Ag Committee Chair Frank Lucas Files for Reelection- No Opponent Yet

The Chairman of the House Ag Committee, Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas, has filed for reelection for the Third District Seat in the US Congress from the state of Oklahoma. Wednesday was the first of three days where candidates could file, and as of the close of business on Wednesday, Lucas had no challenger for another term in Washington. Candidates may file until the end of the day on Friday, April 13, 2012.

In a news release from his campaign organizers, Lucas is quoted as saying "As a lifelong Oklahoman, I am well aware of the issues that are important to my friends and neighbors and will make certain those issues are addressed. Oklahoma needs some one in Congress who will stand up for American farmers and ranchers as the Obama Administration continues its very confrontational stance towards the families who produce our supply of food and fiber. I will continue my fight to encourage economic growth for small businesses and American families, and to ensure that our children and grandchildren are not strapped with crippling debt, and will proudly work to maintain a strong military and to enact an 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy for our nation."  Lucas also cited the current 2012 farm bill negotiations as being critical to the well being of the Third District of Oklahoma as well. Of course, as Chairman of the House Ag Committee, he is at ground zero of those dealings.  

Click here for the news release from Congressman Lucas as he begins his reelection bid.  

At the Statehouse level- most rural Oklahoma lawmakers received little or token opposition after the dust cleared from day one of the filing period. One race that did  catch our eye was State House District 63, where Rep. Don Armes of Faxon drew a Republican challenger, cockfighting advocate B.L. Cozad. Click here to jump over to the State Election Board's full listing of all federal and state races and who has filed for what after day one.