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VFD transition going smoothly

A pork producer from southeast Minnesota says implementation of the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) is going smoothly.

 

Lori Stevermer of Easton custom finishes hogs and works for animal nutrition company Hubbard Feeds, where she spent extensive time preparing for the VFD.

“I had quite a few questions after the first of the year.  But as I talk to our customers and feed dealers around the countryside, we’re getting less questions.  So that tells me everybody’s transitioning and really taking it in stride.”

The Veterinary Feed Directive, administered by the Food and Drug Administration, was fully implemented the beginning of this year.

Stevermer tells Brownfield the relationships between producers, vets, and feed dealers has been effected.

“After the VFD, that (relationship) changed, and that’s fine.  But now producers are working with their veterinarian and asking about what they should be feeding, and then going to the feed dealer.  They all had a relationship (before), but it’s kind of the way the information flowed and decisions were made.”

She attributes much of the VFD transition success to outreach and preparation by the pork industry ahead of the final rule.

Brownfield interviewed Stevermer during the first day of the Minnesota State Fair Thursday.