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Provided by: Joshua L. Salley, Assistant Extension Agent (Ag & Natural Resources)
DeSoto Extension Office, 10117 Hwy 171, Grand Cane, LA71032 Phone:(318) 872-0533
Spring has sprung and everything is finally greening up. That is definitely a welcome sight to all of the livestock producers around after the short hay supplies that we encountered. I have seen some really good stands of ryegrass around the parish. I would imagine some of you will be cutting ryegrass hay this month and I hope the weather gets right to do so. Backyard gardens are being planted now that the pecan trees have bloomed. I’m sure we will have one more Easter snap but hopefully we have seen our last frost. On April 11, there will be two events being held here at the extension office. That morning we will be hosting a worm compost workshop and that evening will be the DeSoto Parish Cattleman’s meeting. We will be discussing farm ponds and anyone is welcome to attend. We just ask for your RSVP at (318) 872-0533.
Until next month, Josh
We all know that relationships are important. You have strong relationships with your family members, friends, and co-workers, but what about your veterinarian? If you are a livestock or companion animal owner, it is extremely important now more than ever to build a relationship with you local veterinarian. The technical term for this is a veterinarian-client-patient relationship, or VCPR.
So why is a VCPR important? It’s always a good idea to have a good relationship with your vet because you never know when that weird emergency is going to happen on the farm or when Fido gets ran over in your driveway in the middle of the night. Having that relationship already established will make it much easier to get your vet to open their clinic up for you in the wee hours of the morning. Your patient will be in their system from past exams and if your pet has prior medical history their doctor will already be aware of their conditions.
The big reason that livestock owners should form a VCPR now is that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released new antibiotic guidance pertaining to animal drugs containing medically important antimicrobials for use in companion and food production animals that are currently approved for over the counter (OTC) marketing. Several antibiotics such as LA-300, Tylan, and Penicillin G Procaine familiar to ranchers and other livestock owners will no longer be available OTC. Instead, these antibiotics will require a prescription from a licensed veterinarian. This is to ensure animal drugs that contain antimicrobials important for humans are not being overused or used incorrectly according to officials. OTC antibiotics used in animals feed and drinking water moved to Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) or prescription status in 2017, when the FDA first enacted VFD’s for closer veterinarian oversight of antimicrobial use in food animals, but a few antibiotics remained available OTC in the form of injectables, intramammary tuber and boluses.
By June 11, 2023, labels of those remaining OTC antibiotics will be required to read: “Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.”
Date: April 11, 2023
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: DeSoto Parish Extension Office (4-H Building)
Guest Speakers: Mr. Dwain Spillman (Dwain's Worm Farm)
(Please RSVP via phone or email by 4/7/23) Call 318-872-0533 or email jsalley@agcenter.lsu.edu
Come learn about worm composting and gardening! Worm compost and Red Wigglers will be available for purchase also.
Date: April 11, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: DeSoto Parish Extension Office (4-H Building)
Guest Speakers: Dr. Greg Lutz, LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Research Station, "Farm Pond Maintenance" & Mr. Clint Byas, HerbServ LLC
Please RSVP via phone or email by 4/7 /23, (318) 872-0S33 or email jsalley@agcenter.lsu.edu
Meal sponsored by: HerbServ Aquatic Herbicide
April 27, 2023 from 8:30a.m. – 2:00p.m.
Hill Farm Research Station, 11959 Hwy 9, Homer, LA 71040
Should you need an ADA accommodation, please contact our office at (318) 872-0533 at least two weeks prior to the event. The LSU AgCenter and LSU provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.
