It has been pointed out to me that my blog on July 31, 2017, on the cow-calf operation in Nebraska that sent a critter to slaughter loaded up on antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, appeared to have tried to link the VFD with the violations of way too much residue being present.

That was not my intent. I realize Ceftiofur and Flunixin have required a script since FDA approval, and that Ceftiofur is used only to treat certain infections and requires a 4 day withdrawal time before slaughter.

The Ceftiofur residue was 25 times over the FDA limit, and the Flunixin was 100 times over the limit.

I checked with a contact at Merck, the maker and seller of Flunixin, an NSAID, and was advised that it had FDA approval as a topical ointment only, and that it must have been injected off-label to get levels that high.

My reference to the VFD was simply this: At the last NIAA antibiotic conference it was repeatedly stated that come January 1, 2017, we would have no worries about antibiotics used in animals because DVMs all took an oath to protect public health and the VFD would protect us.

What I hoped to point out in the blog was that although we have many fine DVMs tending to our animals, that fact does not mean we have nothing to worry about as long as there are those out there willing and able to cut corners to try and make a buck.

We cannot and should not look at the VFD as the be-all, end-all, to the antibiotic use discussion.

It has also been explained to me quite recently why liver abscesses are a product of a corn-based diet, and that many feedlots are going to macrolide-free processes and seeing a higher rate of abscesses and condemnation rates.

To reduce those numbers, more roughage and less corn need to be in the mix, driving the cost of feeding out cattle higher.

As the price of doing business rises, retail price hikes follow.

On another note on a different but recent blog, much of the discussion surrounded the increase number of recalls, blaming this mostly on industry doing more of its own policing as in HACCP and the Poultry Inspection Modernization changes.

Readers, please consider the progress made in identifying the source of an outbreak leading to a recall because of the use of PFGE.

And please consider the increase in the amount of product sampling, thus finding contaminated meat and poultry and keeping them out of the food supply.

And please consider that recalls are now being performed for Salmonella contamination, which is relatively new and Salmonella is still not considered an adulterant.

And please consider the 6 new non-O157:H7 STECs that FSIS has declared adulterants just recently, discovery of which leads to a recall not done in recent past.

All of these changes, along with increased production numbers, have occurred since HACPP was rolled out.

In my humble opinion, the agency and industry, combined, are doing a better job of protecting the public’s health, not the other way around.

I know I will hear your opinions also, and welcome them; but please sign your name.

My mea culpa on Newcastle NE and other recent blogs

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