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Livestock producers facing changes in access to antibiotics

Livestock producers facing changes in access to antibiotics

All antimicrobials require a prescription as of Dec. 1

By Diego Flammini
News Reporter
Farms.com

Livestock farmers will have to change the way they access certain livestock medications by the end of 2018.

As of Dec. 1, producers will require a veterinarian’s prescription for all antibiotics because of a national initiative spearheaded by Lawrence MacAulay, minister of agriculture and agri-Food.

The goal of Minister MacAulay’s plan is to “combat the risks of antimicrobial resistance in a coordinated, multisectoral and effective manner,” according to document overview.

These new regulations will impact where and how producers can purchase these drugs, said Dr. Wendy Wilkins, a disease surveillance veterinarian with Saskatchewan Agriculture.

“Farmers won’t be able to go down to their local farm or feed supply store and buy their penicillin anymore,” she told Farms.com today. “They’ll need to have a prescription in hand and have to take it to a veterinary clinic or to a pharmacy to be filled.”

If a farmer doesn’t have a veterinarian, now might be the time to begin researching possible connections.

A valid relationship with a vet is required before he or she can write a prescription, Wilkins said. Just because a veterinarian assesses one cow with lameness, for example, it doesn’t necessarily mean the vet has established a relationship with the rest of the herd, she added.

And some regulatory changes to livestock medications occurred late last year.

As of November, the number of drugs producers could import for use on their farms decreased.

“If a farmer was using the drug on their own farm and on their own animals, they could import the veterinary drugs from other countries,” Wilkins said. “That’s no longer an option and farmers must consult their veterinarians first.”

Farmers are not prohibited from importing all medications, however.

Over 20 veterinary medications remain on List B, Health Canada’s list of drugs that can still be imported but not sold.

Photo: Highwaystarz-Photography/iStock/Getty Images Plus


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The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

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