The Veterinary Feed Directive

Dr. Melanie Hemenway is a State Field Veterinarian for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and coordinates the New York State Cattle Health Assurance Program (NYSCHAP).  

She is currently overseeing a 3 year grant from FDA for outreach to animal agriculture groups about the new Veterinary Feed Directive and Antibiotic Stewardship.   She has given several presentations on this topic to veterinarians, farmers, feed companies and educators.

The new Veterinary Feed Directive went into effect 1/1/2017 creating changes in the availability, oversight and use of medically important antibiotics used in animal feed and water.  This presentation will help clarify the reasons for this change, what drugs are affected, the emphasis being placed on veterinary oversight of the use of these drugs on farms and the responsibilities of the veterinarian, feed company/mill and the farmer.