With a Jan. 1, 2017, deadline looming, veterinarians and producers now have more resources available to help them comply with the Veterinary Feed Directive being issued by the Food and Drug Administration. In response to increasing demand, the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University developed additional free educational modules to complement its original set of modules released earlier this year. The new modules are pertinent to separate sectors of the beef industry.

In collaboration with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension, the institute has developed a new website, VFDInfo.org, which houses modules specific to producers, feed mill operators, veterinarians and distributors. Experts from each sector address concerns and questions to ease the transition under new regulations.

Experts include Mike Apley, professor of production medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine at KSU; Brian Lubbers, director of clinical microbiology at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, also in the College of Veterinary Medicine; A.J. Tarpoff, beef extension veterinarian at KSU; and Ken Bowers, dairy and feed safety, KDA.

The website also hosts a sample VFD form as well as additional resources to guide users through any additional questions.

"These changes will be significant for the livestock and feed industry, and we are eager to provide guidance as much as possible," Bowers said. "Collaboration between these organizations has been valuable as we work to reach all producers, veterinarians and feed mills. The website is a great resource."

BCI utilizes collaborative multidisciplinary expertise to promote successful beef production through the discovery and delivery of actionable information and innovative decision support tools. KDA is committed to protecting animal health and helping ensure a safe food supply while serving farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and the consumers/customers they serve. For more information about VFD go to VFDInfo.org or email bci@ksu.edu.