... Pullet vaccination: There’s always room for improvement
Sep 20, 2021PHT Editor
TOOLBOX, Issue 17: An interview with Tim Cummings, DVM, Senior Technical Services Veterinarian, Zoetis
... Diagnostics key to effective mycoplasma control
Jun 20, 2021PHT Editor
Avian mycoplasmosis is a problem for poultry producers worldwide, but according to an expert, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach to managing it.
... Control key to protecting flocks from more virulent, resistant E. coli
Jun 03, 2021PHT Editor
Research shows many strains of E. coli are capable of causing disease directly. And with antibiotic resistance on the rise, control and prevention are essential.
... Pathways to protection: How one vaccine decision can affect options for managing other diseases in broilers
Apr 22, 2021PHT Editor
Broiler operations want to provide the best disease protection for the least cost, but deciding which vaccines to use and when can be a daunting task.
... Zoetis further expands poultry portfolio with vectored vaccine for Newcastle and Marek’s diseases
Jan 21, 2020PHT Editor
Zoetis has further expanded its poultry vaccine portfolio with the introduction of Poulvac® Procerta™ HVT-ND, a vectored recombinant vaccine that protects broiler chickens against Newcastle and...
... New USDA process-verified program, meat label to focus on responsible poultry, livestock care
Jan 14, 2020PHT Editor
A new USDA process-verified program and meat label is expected help US poultry and livestock producers demonstrate their commitment to responsible antibiotic management.
... Hospitals offer inspiration for next-generation poultry biosecurity tools
Jan 03, 2020PHT Editor
Researchers in Canada are looking to human hospitals as inspiration for developing next-generation techniques to improve biosecurity on poultry farms.
... Hospitals offer inspiration for poultry biosecurity – Part 1: Two principles of biosecurity
Jan 03, 2020PHT Editor
Watch Part 1 of the interview on poultry industry biosecurity.
... Hospitals offer inspiration for poultry biosecurity – Part 2: Communication is key
Jan 03, 2020PHT Editor
Watch Part 2 of the interview on poultry industry biosecurity.
... Hospitals offer inspiration for poultry biosecurity – Part 3: Transportation biosecurity
Jan 03, 2020PHT Editor
Watch Part 3 of the interview on poultry industry biosecurity.
... Hospitals offer inspiration for poultry biosecurity – Part 4: Hospital technology to the rescue
Jan 03, 2020PHT Editor
Watch Part 4 of the interview on poultry industry biosecurity.
... Biomarkers helping to identify broilers susceptible to wooden breast syndrome
Dec 25, 2019PHT Editor
Broiler producers need answers in the battle against wooden or woody breast syndrome — and they need them quickly. While safe for human consumption, the hard, chewy breast meat from affected birds...
... Lightening the load: Teamwork between live production, processing key to reducing foodborne pathogens in poultry
Feb 15, 2019PHT Editor
While statistics show the US poultry industry has made great strides reducing foodborne pathogens, USDA’s new standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter in chicken parts have made poultry companies...
... Working with FSIS to reduce condemnations and cut losses
Oct 14, 2018PHT Editor
By Douglas L. Fulnechek, DVM
Senior Technical Services Veterinarian, Zoetis
... The link between Salmonella and intestinal health
Jun 26, 2018PHT Editor
By Charles L. Hofacre, DVM, MAM, PhD
President, Southern Poultry Research Group, Inc.
Professor Emeritus, University of Georgia
... Industry trendwatcher offers insights on future of antibiotic-free poultry production
May 01, 2018PHT Editor
Industry trendwatcher and analyst Greg Rennier, PhD, recently sat down with Poultry Health Today to share his thoughts on antibiotic-free production and where the poultry industry is heading in 2017...
... The case for built-up litter in US broiler complexes
Feb 18, 2018PHT Editor
By John A. Smith, DVM, MS, MAM
Alectryon, LLC
Baldwin, GA --
Built-up litter isn't necessarily negative. In fact, it may have multiple benefits...
... Antibiotic-free poultry production: Is it sustainable on a large scale?
Feb 13, 2018PHT Editor
Phil Stayer, DVM, head veterinarian at Sanderson Farms, is worried about what he calls an "anti-technology movement" directed at the US poultry industry, particularly as it relates to veterinary care...
... Broiler-house management is key to preventing winter respiratory disease
Dec 15, 2017PHT Editor
By Tak Niino, VMD
Technical services veterinarian
Zoetis Inc.
... Campylobacter in poultry: An elusive pathogen
Nov 30, 2017PHT Editor
By Orhan Sahin, DVM, PhD, Dip ACVM
Assistant Professor
Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
... Poultry veterinarians facing new challenges with NAE trend, food safety guidelines
Oct 06, 2017PHT Editor
The NAE production movement has helped reduce antibiotic use in poultry for good reason, but veterinarians need to make sure the pendulum doesn’t swing so far they have no antibiotics left to...
... Successful ABF production: Mastered technique or corporate culture?
Sep 29, 2017PHT Editor
Indiana's Miller Poultry's owner and president Galen Miller and production manager Stephen Shepard discuss their experiences, priorities, management style and business philosophy that led to 30%...
... Hofacre: There’s always room for improvement with Salmonella
Sep 21, 2017PHT Editor
Most US poultry companies are doing an “outstanding job” controlling Salmonella, but there's always room for improvement.
... Sanderson Farms targets ‘marketing gimmicks’ about antibiotics
Aug 04, 2017PHT Editor
A new ad campaign released by Sanderson Farms Inc. seeks to debunk myths surrounding the use of antibiotics in US poultry production while exposing what it calls “marketing gimmicks designed to...
... ‘Raised without antibiotics’ marketing has nothing to do with science
Jul 28, 2017PHT Editor
By David French, DVM
Staff Veterinarian
Sanderson Farms
... Rainwater harvesting helps poultry farms reduce water dependency, save money
Jul 19, 2017PHT Editor
A new system for harvesting and storing rainwater from poultry barns provides birds with high quality water while reducing the grower’s dependency on local wells and municipal water systems.
... Reducing your poultry farm’s carbon footprint: Good for the environment and for the birds
Jul 18, 2017PHT Editor
The increasing prevalence of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and their effects on climate change is a hot topic among environmentalists. There’s naturally a lot of finger-pointing at human activities that...
... Striking a balance with ABF poultry production
Jun 24, 2017PHT Editor
Back in 2013, less than 5% of the chicken produced in the US was raised without antibiotics. That number could
reach 25% to 30% within 5 years. How is the poultry industry adjusting?
... Vigilance key for limiting avian flu risk
Jun 16, 2017PHT Editor
European officials are urging poultry producers to review of the signs and symptoms of avian flu and biosecurity measures for containing it.
... Air quality affects S. Heidelberg colonization in broilers
Jun 15, 2017PHT Editor
Improving air quality in broiler houses may be an important way to reduce colonization of S. Heidelberg, according to the results of a study presented at the 2017 International Poultry Scientific...
... Both organic, conventional processing reduce Campylobacter on carcasses
May 03, 2017PHT Editor
Both conventional and organic processing methods reduced Campylobacter on broiler carcasses in a recent study by Purdue University. Matthew Bailey, a grad student at the university, discussed the...
... Hatchery expert offers tips for fighting bacteria, improving biosecurity
May 01, 2017PHT Editor
With more US poultry companies reducing or eliminating antibiotic use in the hatchery, poultry companies need to make an even greater effort to guard against costly bacterial infections.
... Optimizing diets could limit foot pad dermatitis outbreaks
Apr 27, 2017PHT Editor
Managing diets to improve litter quality could help limit incidence of foot pad dermatitis (FPD) in broiler chickens and turkeys, scientists say.
... IBDV: Management obstacles and options
Apr 26, 2017PHT Editor
By Daral J. Jackwood, PhD
Professor, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine
Food Animal Health Research Program
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center
The Ohio State University
... Experts warn of red mite risk thanks to avian flu
Apr 26, 2017PHT Editor
Forced housing of poultry due to avian influenza is likely to lead to a higher risk of red mite infestation in flocks this spring, vets have warned.
... Broiler immunity develops too little, too late to fight campylobacter
Apr 25, 2017PHT Editor
In the first-ever study of functional immunity to campylobacter in chickens, research by the University of Liverpool found that antibodies play a key role in clearing the bacteria from the gut,...
... Farm uses lasers to guard hens from avian influenza
Apr 25, 2017PHT Editor
Orchard Eggs, based in West Sussex, is using Dutch laser technology to scare off wild migratory birds and prevent them from mixing with the farm’s outdoor flock and protect them from avian flu.
... Shortage of medications remains top issue for US turkey industry
Apr 24, 2017PHT Editor
A shortage of effective, FDA-approved medications is still the top health issue for the US turkey industry, according to a survey conducted by a turkey veterinarian.
... VFD compliance: FDA’s animal-feed director says agency’s focus is on education, not penalties, during first year
Apr 24, 2017PHT Editor
Compliance with the updated veterinary feed directive (VFD) rule is expected to continually improve as stakeholders become more educated with the process, according to David Edwards, PhD, director of...
... Antibiotic issues broaden poultry veterinarians’ role
Apr 18, 2017PHT Editor
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM, MS, ACPV
Corporate Veterinarian
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
... ‘Old bug’ with new name easily mistaken for E. coli peritonitis
Apr 12, 2017PHT Editor
Commercial chicken flocks that appear to have Escherichia coli peritonitis might actually be infected with a re-emerging old pathogen with a new name.
... While new data show growth for NAE production, responsible antibiotic usage still holding its own
Apr 06, 2017PHT Editor
One in 5 tons of broiler feed produced by US poultry companies in 2016 was ticketed for “no antibiotics ever” programs — up nearly 67% from 2015 and nearly a seven-fold increase since 2014.
... Biosecurity key to combating US avian flu threat
Apr 04, 2017PHT Editor
Farm biosecurity remains US poultry producers’ key defense in making sure they are protected from the potentially devastating effects of avian influenza, say officials.
... Vaccination helping to reduce mortality rates from E. coli in France’s layer flocks
Apr 04, 2017PHT Editor
Four out of five health problems in layer flocks in France are related to Escherichia coli, according to Jocelyn Marguerie, DVM.
... Poultry sector must adapt to “antibiotic-free” demands
Mar 31, 2017PHT Editor
US poultry producers must start to prepare for producing birds without the use of antibiotics, according to a leading poultry scientist.
... More collaboration needed to drive housing welfare standards
Mar 31, 2017PHT Editor
Greater collaboration between producers, veterinarians, engineers and scientists is needed to design housing systems that offer the highest levels of hen welfare, according to a leading geneticist.
... Better accuracy, hatchability, protection seen in birds vaccinated with dual-needle system
Mar 27, 2017PHT Editor
Broiler studies demonstrate that a dual-needle
in ovo delivery system yields more accurate vaccine placement, better hatchability and better disease protection compared to a single-needle...
... 5 ABF health tips from Miller Poultry
Mar 08, 2017PHT Editor
Miller Poultry — an Indiana-based producer with more than 15 years' experience raising broilers without antibiotics — offers tips for ensuring a strong, healthy and efficient bird.
... Avian influenza in the US: High-path, low-path and its link to other poultry diseases
Mar 07, 2017PHT Editor
David Swayne, DVM, PhD, a research veterinarian at USDA with more than 30 years' experience with avian influenza, talks to Poultry Health Today about the dreaded virus — how it travels, the...
... Want the recipe for a VFD? Here are 14 key ingredients
Mar 03, 2017PHT Editor
Issuing a veterinary feed directive (VFD) involves more than just completing a form and sending it to the producer and feed mill. Veterinarians need to have 14 key ingredients on hand to include in...
... Documenting diagnoses: What are FDA’s expectations for VFD medications?
Feb 23, 2017PHT Editor
The updated veterinary feed directive (VFD) rule does not specifically define how veterinarians writing VFDs must document their clinical diagnoses, according to an FDA veterinarian.
... Producers eye vaccines, sanitation, biosecurity following new VFD rules
Feb 23, 2017PHT Editor
Increased use of vaccines and better sanitation and biosecurity are the two most common changes livestock and poultry producers are making in response to the loss of shared use antibiotics imposed by...
... Could GM technology produce the next generation of poultry vaccines?
Feb 16, 2017PHT Editor
Genetic engineering could unlock a new generation of vaccines that have the potential to tackle major poultry diseases more quickly and effectively, scientists say.
... Biosecurity ‘most important tool’ to limit avian flu risk
Feb 15, 2017PHT Editor
Improving poultry farm hygiene and biosecurity is critical to limiting the threat of avian influenza to the poultry sector, a leading influenza researcher has warned.
... You’ve got mail: Know the differences between VFD distributor, acknowledgement letters
Feb 15, 2017PHT Editor
Notification and acknowledgement letters are required by the updated veterinary feed directive (VFD) regulation effective January 1, 2017. If you’re confused about who has to send what to whom,...
... New lasalocid MRLs relieve export restrictions for broilers
Feb 15, 2017PHT Editor
Broiler producers who want more diversity in their anticoccidial-rotation plan can now consider the ionophore lasalocid without worrying about it putting a damper on exports, says Jon Schaeffer, DVM,...
... Observe, judge, act — Veterinarian offers practical tips for reducing carcass condemnations
Feb 14, 2017PHT Editor
Poultry processors and regulators have the same objectives — minimize chicken condemnations and maximize food safety. Working as a team is the best way to safeguard consumer health and maintain...
... Temperature and humidity key to healthy climate control
Feb 14, 2017PHT Editor
Understanding temperature and humidity is key to ensuring climate control systems are as effective as they can be in helping to produce healthy birds.
... Good communication key to protecting poultry parts during FSIS inspection
Feb 10, 2017PHT Editor
One key to food safety is designing and implementing poultry-inspection protocols that reflect consumer behavior. For example, federal inspectors are refocusing their strategy to address consumer...
... E. coli vaccine reduced colibacillosis lesions and mortality in turkeys
Feb 07, 2017PHT Editor
A modified-live Escherichia coli vaccine for turkeys was demonstrated to be safe and effectively reduced the incidence of lesions and mortality due to colibacillosis, according to recent studies.
... New antibiotic regulations drive feed changes
Feb 07, 2017PHT Editor
The majority of US poultry producers have made changes to their feed in response to regulations preventing the use of shared-use antibiotics.
... How often do poultry vets need to visit farms to meet new VFD criteria?
Feb 05, 2017PHT Editor
Part 8 of an exclusive interview with William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine on the new VFD that took effect Jan. 1, 2017.
... Foster Farms’ vet shares tips for managing a food-safety crisis in the poultry industry
Feb 05, 2017PHT Editor
You’re a veterinarian at a major poultry company that’s just been slammed by a food-safety crisis. Can you imagine what that’s like? And more important, would you know what to do?
... Windrowing litter can reduce pressure from poultry viruses, insects and bacteria
Feb 05, 2017PHT Editor
Poultry producers looking to improve litter quality and flock health should consider windrowing — a practice that not only works to control ammonia in the reconditioned litter but also reduces...
... Inexperience leads to disaster in small specialty poultry flock
Feb 03, 2017PHT Editor
Disease and high mortality in a small Midwestern poultry operation demonstrate the consequences of inexperience coupled with the treatment restraints of organic farming, Patricia Wakenell, DVM, PhD,...
... Surveillance, careful vaccine selection tops “shoot-in-the-dark” strategy for IB control
Feb 02, 2017PHT Editor
Microbiologist Mark Jackwood, PhD, University of Georgia, urges producers not to “shoot in the dark” with infectious bronchitis vaccines and, instead, to focus on surveillance, monitoring and...
... VFD requirements for feed mills: Not as simple as A, B, C
Feb 01, 2017PHT Editor
Part 4 of an exclusive interview with William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, on the new VFD that took effect Jan. 1, 2017.
... Accessibility is key when storing VFDs at integrated companies
Jan 31, 2017PHT Editor
The best place for integrated companies to store veterinary feed directives (VFDs) should depend on whether they’re keeping hard or electronic copies.
... The inspector’s here: What to expect from a VFD audit
Jan 30, 2017PHT Editor
Part 5 of an exclusive interview with William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine on the new VFD that took effect Jan. 1, 2017.
... Cage-free hen housing: How far will the pendulum swing?
Jan 28, 2017PHT Editor
By John Brown, DVM
Senior Technical Services Veterinarian, Zoetis
... Latest edition of Poultry Health Today features in-depth report on antibiotic-free production trend
Jan 26, 2017PHT Editor
The new issue of Poultry Health Today looks at the evolution of antibiotic-free production, its rapid growth over the past three years and where the industry is heading with what’s become a...
... Poultry Health Today lines up video interviews with more than 30 poultry experts at IPPE
Jan 26, 2017PHT Editor
More than 30 poultry-health experts and trend watchers will be interviewed on camera over the next three days as part of Poultry Health Today’s news coverage of the 2017 International Production...
... Memorable quotes and figures from the world of poultry health
Jan 25, 2017PHT Editor
... Interpreting the language of the new VFD rule
Jan 25, 2017PHT Editor
In a candid 90-minute interview, William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, clarified some hazy points of the new veterinary feed...
... Exploring the cause of condemnations can reduce losses
Jan 25, 2017PHT Editor
When carcasses are rejected at processing, all the time and money that went into production is lost. Couple that with even slight increases in the condemnation rate, and the losses really mount.
... Research: Highly pathogenic AI does not persist in wild birds
Jan 25, 2017PHT Editor
While the H5 avian influenza A virus that devastated some Midwestern poultry farms in 2014 to 2015 was initially spread by migratory waterfowl, evidence now suggests that highly pathogenic flu...
... Early SE infection likely to stay with broilers until market age
Jan 25, 2017PHT Editor
Broilers with lung exposure to Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) on the day of hatch are very likely to be positive for the pathogen at market age, say investigators.
... E. coli infection: Two types in broilers
Jan 25, 2017PHT Editor
While infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) remains a serious threat to broiler health, it often opens the door to costlier secondary E. coli infection.
... Early feeding, housing may affect broiler response to immune challenges
Jan 25, 2017PHT Editor
Early feeding after hatch and the housing type can affect the response of broilers to immune challenges later in life, indicates a study from the Netherlands.
... FDA defers to vet’s ‘clinical judgement’ to link health problems to VFD product’s indications
Jan 24, 2017PHT Editor
FDA will defer to the expertise of veterinarians to diagnose health conditions requiring veterinary feed directive (VFD) medications, but the agency still expects usage to comply with the product...
... Fast growth seen for ABF poultry production, but for how long?
Jan 24, 2017PHT Editor
To see how the antibiotic-free (ABF) production trend is playing out with producers’ plans, Poultry Health Today turned to Greg Rennier, PhD, a poultry-market research specialist who tracks product...
... View from Europe on ABF
Jan 24, 2017PHT Editor
Striving for responsible antibiotic use may be a better strategy than going 100% antibiotic-free, according to a gut-disease specialist.
... Producer response to loss of antibiotics assessed in survey
Jan 24, 2017PHT Editor
Increased use of vaccines and better sanitation and biosecurity are the two most common changes livestock and poultry producers are making in response to the loss of shared use antibiotics imposed by...
... More diagnostics advised for better IB management in broilers
Jan 23, 2017PHT Editor
By Lloyd Keck, DVM, ACPV
Senior technical services veterinarian, Zoetis Inc.
... Infectious bronchitis: Containing an ever-changing disease
Jan 22, 2017PHT Editor
By Dieter Vancraeynest, DVM, PhD
Zoetis
... USDA/APHIS launches VFD training module for health professionals
Jan 20, 2017PHT Editor
USDA/APHIS has introduced a new training module to help veterinarians and other health professionals get up to speed on the new veterinary feed directive (VFD) rules.
... Modified-live E. coli vaccine found safe, effective for water administration to chickens
Jan 15, 2017PHT Editor
A modified-live vaccine indicated for active immunization against infections caused by Escherichia coli 078 is safe and also effective when administered in drinking water, according to results of a...
... NCC to food industry and consumers: Go slow on slower-growing chickens
Jan 12, 2017PHT Editor
The National Chicken Council is urging food-service and retail industries, non-governmental organizations and consumers to go slow on the slow-growth chicken trend before evaluating its potential...
... It’s official: FDA implements GFI #213, paving way for new VFD rules
Jan 09, 2017PHT Editor
After years of planning, FDA said it has completed implementation of what it calls Guidance for Industry #213 — a process that requires antimicrobials with importance in human medicine to be used...
... Get to know the ins and outs of the new veterinary feed directive
Jan 06, 2017PHT Editor
In an exclusive interview, William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, clarified some hazy points of the new veterinary feed directive...
... FDA vet offers guidelines for managing VFDs in integrated poultry operations
Jan 06, 2017PHT Editor
Part 6 of an exclusive interview with William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine on the new VFD that took effect Jan. 1, 2017.
... Drugs transitioning from OTC to VFD status
Jan 05, 2017PHT Editor
A list of over-the-counter drugs that will require a VFD as of January 1, 2017 is provided in this document.
... Location, location, location: How FDA defines ‘premises’
Jan 05, 2017PHT Editor
When issuing a veterinary feed directive (VFD), poultry veterinarians are expected to provide the physical location of birds receiving the VFD drug.
... Plant inspectors help poultry industry monitor welfare
Jan 05, 2017PHT Editor
Processors understand that the humane treatment of chickens during processing is simply the right thing to do. It also is the law.
... FDA vet offers guidance for syncing indications of mature VFD medications to today’s health problems
Jan 03, 2017PHT Editor
Part 3 of an exclusive interview with William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, on the new VFD that took effect Jan. 1, 2017.
... Understanding lasalocid: Veterinarian offers tips for getting the most from this proven anticoccidial
Jan 02, 2017PHT Editor
Developing a long-term strategy for managing coccidiosis in broilers is more critical today than ever before — not just to preserve the efficacy of our remaining medications, but also to keep...
... Laboratory vs. clinical diagnosis: Which is needed for a VFD?
Dec 22, 2016PHT Editor
Part 2 of an exclusive interview with William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, on the new VFD that took effect Jan. 1, 2017.
... Making the transition: Tips for managing medicated feed through the Jan. 1 VFD deadline
Dec 21, 2016PHT Editor
Part 1 of an exclusive interview with William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, on the new VFD that took effect January 1, 2017.
... Poultry companies need to balance consumer preferences with flock health, welfare and food safety
Dec 19, 2016PHT Editor
Suzanne Dougherty, DVM, a consulting poultry veterinarian based in Alabama, talks with Poultry Health Today about the challenges of reducing or even eliminating antibiotics in broiler production...
... Q&A: Tips for complying with the updated VFD rule
Dec 16, 2016PHT Editor
VFD News Center Q&A is a series of interviews about the updated Veterinary Feed Directive.
... NCC scientist: Food safety is everyone’s job
Dec 15, 2016PHT Editor
Food safety is a chain stretching from producers to consumers. Ashley Peterson, PhD, of the National Chicken Council, shared her insights at the recent “Young Chicken Gross Pathology Workshop” at...
... Addressing consumers’ misconceptions about antibiotic use in poultry
Dec 15, 2016PHT Editor
Gary Thornton, editor of Poultry USA, talks about the importance and the challenges of communicating with consumers about the role of antibiotics in poultry production.
... Opinion: VFDs — More work, same result?
Dec 14, 2016PHT Editor
by Philip A. Stayer, DVM,
Corporate Veterinarian,
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
... New 7-minute video from FDA details new VFD rule
Dec 07, 2016PHT Editor
FDA has released a 7-minute video detailing the updated veterinary feed directive (VFD) rule effective January 1, 2017.
... Less than 30 days and counting before new VFD rules take effect
Dec 01, 2016PHT Editor
Veterinarians, feed mills and poultry producers are into the final stretch and now have less than 30 days to prepare for the new veterinary feed directive rules that take effect January 1, 2017.
... Imaging technology quickly finds wooden-breast tissue
Dec 01, 2016PHT Editor
Imaging-based technologies can rapidly and non-destructively detect the presence and severity of a condition known as wooden breast (WB) in boneless, skinless broiler breast fillets, according to...
... Video provides practical biosecurity tips for poultry
Nov 12, 2016PHT Editor
A training video that provides practical biosecurity tips for protecting commercial poultry flocks from avian influenza and other infectious diseases has been developed by the University of Maryland...
... Sneak peek: Case history of an FDA VFD inspection
Nov 10, 2016PHT Editor
Random FDA inspections to ensure compliance with the updated veterinary feed directive (VFD) rule are understandably causing some trepidation throughout the poultry industry. Fortunately, the...
... Get to know the lesser-known risk factors of necrotic enteritis in broilers
Nov 10, 2016PHT Editor
By
John A. Smith, DVM, MS, MAM
Alectryon LLC
Baldwin, Georgia
... Straight talk with FDA about the VFD in poultry
Nov 07, 2016PHT Editor
Dan McChesney, PhD, director of surveillance and compliance for FDA’s Center of Veterinary Medicine, recently visited with Poultry Health Today to talk about the new VFD regulations and their...
... Improved understanding may end “white chick” era
Nov 07, 2016PHT Editor
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM
Corporate Veterinarian
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
... Are there practical alternatives to ionophores?
Nov 05, 2016PHT Editor
Proponents of raising broilers without ionophores and other antibiotics have proposed putting more emphasis on farm management, biosecurity and alternatives to anticoccidials.
... The Poultry Smith
Nov 02, 2016PHT Editor
In this exclusive interview with Poultry Health Today, Fieldale Farms veterinarian John Smith reflects on his career, the state of the US poultry industry and, most importantly, what it needs to do...
... FDA issues final guidelines for VFD forms
Nov 02, 2016PHT Editor
FDA has issued final guidelines for veterinary feed directive (VFD) forms that veterinarians will issue when authorizing the use of a medicated feed additive containing an antibiotic deemed medically...
... Reports of colistin resistance prompting layer producers to rethink E. coli management
Oct 30, 2016PHT Editor
By
Dieter Vancraeynest, DVM, PhD
Zoetis
dieter.vancraeynest@zoetis.com
... Veterinarians can test drive VFD process by issuing a ‘VFR’
Oct 30, 2016PHT Editor
Looking to get some practice writing veterinary feed directives (VFD) before the new rules kick in January 1?
... How the AST improves management of coccidiosis and flock performance
Oct 25, 2016PHT Editor
It’s been over a century since coccidial oocysts were first observed in the ceca of a chicken. Since the 1940s, many anticoccidials have been developed to combat these protozoan parasites....
... Selfies and other images not proof of VCPR
Oct 19, 2016PHT Editor
Videos or photos cannot be used as a way to establish the veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) needed to obtain veterinary feed directives (VFDs), according to William T. Flynn, DVM, MS,...
... Backyard flocks biggest risk for spreading vvIBDV in US
Oct 17, 2016PHT Editor
By
Daral J. Jackwood, PhD
Professor, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine
Food Animal Health Research Program
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center
The Ohio State University
... FDA’s strategy for VFD enforcement: Education first
Oct 12, 2016PHT Editor
FDA’s first priority when implementing the new veterinary feed directive rule is educating and training all stakeholders, which includes veterinarians, poultry producers and feed mills.
... Q&A: What’s behind FDA’s updated veterinary feed directive?
Oct 11, 2016PHT Editor
VFD News Center Q&A is a series of interviews about the updated veterinary feed directive.
... Biosecurity in poultry production: What makes it work — and what doesn’t
Oct 09, 2016PHT Editor
By Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt, DMV, MSc, PhD
Professor, director
Research Group on the Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health
Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire
Associate director
Université...
... Q&A: Tips for complying with the updated VFD rule
Oct 06, 2016PHT Editor
VFD News Center Q&A is a series of interviews about the updated veterinary feed directive. They are developed by the editors of Poultry Health Today on behalf of Zoetis.
... Q&A: What’s behind FDA’s updated veterinary feed directive?
Oct 06, 2016PHT Editor
VFD News Center Q&A is a series of interviews about the updated veterinary feed directive. They are developed by the editors of Poultry Health Today on behalf of Zoetis.
... What if it takes more than one feed mill to complete a VFD order?
Oct 06, 2016PHT Editor
Under the new veterinary feed directive rule, the same feed mill is supposed to fill the entire VFD order for feed containing a medically important antibiotic.
... FDA: Some antibiotics still OK for production purposes
Oct 05, 2016PHT Editor
New FDA guidelines that discourage using medically important antibiotics for promoting growth in food animals appear to have been well-received by both producers and most consumer activists. Change...
... FDA lists two principles for “judicious” antimicrobial use
Oct 04, 2016PHT Editor
FDA strongly acknowledges that effective antimicrobials are critically important for combating infectious disease in both humans and animals.
... Guidance for Industry #233: Veterinary Feed Directive Common Format Questions and Answers
Sep 26, 2016PHT Editor
This document provides examples that illustrate how a common VFD format might appear and how some of the information on the VFD may be pre-populated by an animal health company.
... Want to use a VFD medication in a combination? Better check with your vet first
Sep 22, 2016PHT Editor
Some poultry medications requiring a veterinary feed directive (VFD) are indicated for use alone while others are approved for use in combination with over-the-counter (OTC) medications that don’t...
... Condemnations, mortality shift focus to E. coli vaccination in some broiler flocks
Sep 16, 2016PHT Editor
While infectious bronchitis remains a serious threat to broiler health, it often opens the door to the more costly secondary infection, E coli, explained Kalen Cookson, DVM, director of clinical...
... Updated VFD rule may help producers save money
Sep 12, 2016PHT Editor
The updated veterinary feed directive (VFD) rule that takes effect in January 2017 does not require veterinarians to indicate the amount of feed that needs to be manufactured — a decision made by...
... IBV variants in poultry: Aiming for cross-protection
Sep 12, 2016PHT Editor
By Mark W. Jackwood, PhD
Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center
Department of Population Health
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Georgia
... Solving the mystery of gangrenous dermatitis in broilers
Sep 07, 2016PHT Editor
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM
Corporate Veterinarian
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
... Survey correlates anticoccidial rotation with improved coccidiosis management
Sep 07, 2016PHT Editor
A six-country survey in North and South America demonstrates that rotation of in-feed anticoccidials correlates with more effective coccidiosis management in broilers.
... What’s the most humane way to raise a chicken? Watch and listen
Aug 20, 2016PHT Editor
By
Philip A. Stayer, DVM
Corporate Veterinarian
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
... Plans in the works for updating labels on existing feed affected by VFD
Aug 18, 2016PHT Editor
Poultry producers won’t have to discard existing inventories of feed blended with medically important antibiotics prior to January 2017 to comply with new veterinary feed directive (VFD)...
... Anticoccidial rotation, good husbandry can improve coccidiosis control
Aug 16, 2016PHT Editor
Poultry producers worldwide know the importance of cutting losses from coccidiosis – the parasitic disease that is still causing significant losses in growth rate and feed efficiency.
... Feed distributors won’t need to provide VFD or letter to acquire Type A medications
Aug 09, 2016PHT Editor
US feed distributors will not need to provide a veterinary feed directive (VFD) or acknowledgment letter to pharmaceutical companies to obtain a Type A medicated article containing VFD medications,...
... Hens in enriched colony system appear more stressed, flighty
Aug 05, 2016PHT Editor
Hens in an enriched colony system were more stressed and flighty than conventionally caged birds in a study from Mississippi State and Texas A&M Universities.
... Electronic systems expected to simply VFD process
Aug 02, 2016PHT Editor
Electronic systems will make it easy for veterinarians to provide veterinary feed directives in compliance with the updated VFD rule that takes full effect in January 2017, say developers of the...
... Resistance will continue despite new rules, professor predicts
Aug 01, 2016PHT Editor
New rules governing the use of antibiotics in food animals will not reduce antimicrobial resistance, a Kansas State University professor has predicted.
... Managing ionophores and diets for best performance
Jul 31, 2016PHT Editor
Carla Price, PhD, a consulting poultry nutritionist based in Mississippi, says that for best results, producers need to consider differences in ionophores when formulating poultry feeds.
... Skunks, rabbits can indirectly transmit AI viruses, government research indicates
Jul 29, 2016PHT Editor
Striped skunks and cottontail rabbits can indirectly transmit low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) to mallard ducks, government research indicates.
... S. enteritidis shedding more frequent among hens in conventional cages
Jul 24, 2016PHT Editor
Fecal shedding of Salmonella enteritidis was significantly more frequent among experimentally infected laying hens in conventional cages compared to hens housed in enriched colony cages, indicates a...
... More light at night reduces daytime heat stress in broilers
Jul 17, 2016PHT Editor
Extended lighting periods help boost welfare and production of big broilers during high seasonal temperatures, a University of Georgia study showed.
... Integrated poultry companies can store VFDs in one place
Jul 15, 2016PHT Editor
Integrated poultry companies that obtain a veterinary feed directive from a staff veterinarian for use in company-owned feed mills and flocks can store the VFD forms in one place.
... Broiler study shows challenges and potential of drug-free production
Jul 08, 2016PHT Editor
Broilers raised in a drug-free program had a higher feed-conversion ratio (FCR), decreased mean daily weight and decreased mean live marketing weight despite administration of antibiotic
... Mathis: Long-term planning key to effective coccidiosis management
Jul 07, 2016PHT Editor
Whether the production system is antibiotic-free or conventional, long-term planning and strategic rotation programs are the best ways to ensure effective, sustainable control of coccidiosis, the...
... Four tips for taking the lead on the animal-welfare conversation
Jul 03, 2016PHT Editor
By Carla Price, PhD
CJP Nutrition
Ellisville, Miss.
... Coccidiosis, intestinal health and their relationship to pathogen loads of harvested broilers
Jun 30, 2016PHT Editor
For more than 60 years, antibiotics and synthetic anticoccidials have teamed up to keep coccidiosis under control and produce least-cost meat, said Donald Waldrip, DVM, senior technical services...
... Talking with customers about antibiotic use and other poultry-production practices
Jun 14, 2016PHT Editor
Today’s consumers face a bewildering array of labels and marketing claims when purchasing poultry products — particularly as it relates to antibiotics.
... Successful Marek’s disease vaccination: The devil is in the details
Jun 14, 2016PHT Editor
By Don Ritter, DVM, ACPV
Senior Director of Health Services and Food Safety
Mountaire Farms Inc.
... How FDA will measure success of new VFD rule
Jun 14, 2016PHT Editor
FDA has target dates in place for finalizing its data-collection plan and for determining whether efforts to promote the “judicious use” of antibiotics in food animals is having an impact on...
... Bill Gates leading drive to buy chicken flocks for impoverished families
Jun 14, 2016PHT Editor
If you were living on $2 a day, what would you do to improve your life? If you’re Bill Gates, you'd raise chickens.
... E. coli in broilers: Its costly impact on condemnations and mortality
Jun 11, 2016PHT Editor
Infectious bronchitis is a never-ending battle for poultry producers, but its the secondary infection E. coli that often proves to be the most costly to broilers in terms of condemnations and...
... Tyson vet shares experiences with antibiotic-free broilers
Jun 02, 2016PHT Editor
Producing Salmonella-free chicks without antibiotics is a delicate procedure — sort of a little like baking a cake, says Scott Gustin, DVM, director of veterinary services for Tyson.
... FDA to require species-specific sales data on antibiotics used in food animals
Jun 02, 2016PHT Editor
Drug companies will have to break down their antibiotic-sales data by species in their annual reports to FDA, according to a new rule issued by the agency.
... Sanderson Farms vet shares views on sustainability, antibiotic-free and FDA’s new antimicrobial guidelines
May 28, 2016PHT Editor
Antibiotic-free poultry production is creating ethical conflicts for veterinarians while raising questions about sustainability, animal welfare and the industry’s ability to feed a growing...
... Water pressure: How does it affect broilers’ consumption, performance?
May 23, 2016PHT Editor
Low-pressure water systems designed to reduce water usage have some poultry growers turning up the pressure to hydrate flocks and improve bird performance, but is this a sound practice economically?
... Vet’s license information not required on VFDs
May 19, 2016PHT Editor
Although veterinary feed directives (VFDs) must be issued by licensed veterinarians, these practitioners are not required to include their license number or issuing state on the VFD form, FDA says in...
... New VFD rule actually requires minimal review time, FDA says
May 19, 2016PHT Editor
This may be hard to believe given the voluminous government documents and trade journal publicity it’s generated, but FDA predicts its new veterinary feed directive (VFD) rule should actually...
... Five opportunities to optimize gut health, minimize necrotic enteritis in broilers
May 16, 2016PHT Editor
By Suzanne Dougherty, DVM, MAM, MS, DACPV
Pecking Around Consulting, Inc.
Madison, Ala.
... What is the carbon footprint of your poultry farm?
May 11, 2016PHT Editor
New research by the University of Georgia on greenhouse-gas emissions from poultry farms is expected to lay the groundwork for reducing the industry's carbon footprint.
... Still confused about VFDs? Panel brings clarity to new rules
May 11, 2016PHT Editor
More than 1,000 representatives from the US poultry and livestock industries attended a recent webinar to get a better handle on the FDA’s new rules for the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD).
... IBD vaccination: HVT vector vaccine or live?
May 10, 2016PHT Editor
By Kalen Cookson, DVM, MAM
Director of clinical research
Zoetis Inc.
... Cage-free layers: Are ‘happier’ birds also healthier?
May 05, 2016PHT Editor
Leading egg producers in the US are pledging to go cage-free, but are happier layers necessarily healthier? John Brown, DVM, a veterinarian who specializes in layer health, shares his thoughts on the...
... Four steps poultry companies should take now to prepare for new VFD regulations
May 03, 2016PHT Editor
Poultry producers should be taking steps now to prepare for the new veterinary feed directive (VFD) regulations that kick in January 2017.
... Judicious antibiotic use: What does it mean in poultry?
Apr 29, 2016PHT Editor
By
Dennis P. Wages, DVM, Dipl. ACPV
Professor, Poultry Health Management
Department of Population Health and Pathobiology
College of Veterinary Medicine — North Carolina State University
... Alternative treatments for necrotic enteritis: Has CQR’s Steve Davis found the ‘silver bullet’?
Apr 29, 2016PHT Editor
For years Steve Davis, DVM, of Colorado Quality Research had been looking for what he calls the "silver bullet" for managing NE in broilers without antibiotics.
... EU could face further restrictions on antibiotic use in farm animals
Apr 28, 2016PHT Editor
Further restrictions on the use of antibiotics in farm animals may be underway for the EU, a development that could be especially problematic for poultry producers.
... Editorial – Judicious antibiotic use: How should the poultry industry be judged?
Apr 27, 2016PHT Editor
Beginning in January 2017, FDA will require veterinarians to issue a veterinary feed directive, or VFD, for any medically important antibiotics administered through poultry or livestock feed.
... Necrotic enteritis in broilers: Disease or syndrome?
Apr 26, 2016PHT Editor
Steve Davis, DVM, of Colorado Quality Research, talks about emerging virulent strains of Clostridium perfringens and their impact on the prevalence severity of necrotic enteritis in broilers.
... Antibiotic-resistant genes found in environment but not in food
Apr 26, 2016PHT Editor
Environmental pathways might pose a greater risk than the food supply for the transfer of antibiotic-resistant infections to humans, suggests a recent study by US and Canadian researchers.
... Responsible use of antibiotics: Understanding the veterinary feed directive
Apr 26, 2016PHT Editor
Informative webinar explains the VFD and the responsibilities of veterinarians, feed mills and producers.
... Veterinary Feed Directive: Distributor Requirements 2015
Apr 25, 2016PHT Editor
Information, requirements and responsibilities for distributors of feeds containing VFD drugs.
... FDA Fact Sheet: Veterinary Feed Directive final rule and next steps
Apr 22, 2016PHT Editor
The VFD final rule outlines the process for authorizing use of VFD drugs (animal drugs intended for use in or on animal feed that require the supervision of a licensed veterinarian) and provides...
... Letters of the law: VFD, Rx and OTC
Apr 22, 2016PHT Editor
Who decides which medications will require a veterinary feed directive (VFD), prescription (Rx) or be available over the counter (OTC)?
... Field vaccination for respiratory disease: spray or pump?
Apr 14, 2016PHT Editor
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM
Corporate Veterinarian
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
... Preparing for the VFD: Challenges at the feed mill
Apr 13, 2016PHT Editor
In light of the impending FDA's veterinary feed directive, Richard Sellers of the American Feed Industry Association talked to Poultry Health Today about the challenges poultry feed mills can expect...
... IBD V877 vaccine can break through maternal antibodies
Apr 10, 2016PHT Editor
A live infectious bursal disease (IBD) vaccine based on the V877 strain can override maternal antibodies, doesn’t revert to virulence and has limited interactions with other live vaccines.
... Meeting the new USDA/FSIS standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter in poultry
Apr 10, 2016PHT Editor
USDA/FSIS issued new standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter in ground poultry meat and chicken and turkey parts.
... Necrotic enteritis: In search of the silver bullet
Apr 09, 2016PHT Editor
Steve Davis, DVM, of Colorado Quality Research says there’s no “silver bullet” for managing necrotic enteritis in broilers and shares his observations from recent studies.
... NCC glossary brings clarity to chicken labeling
Apr 08, 2016PHT Editor
Consumer confusion about chicken labeling has prompted the National Chicken Council to develop an online glossary of terms often found on chicken meat labels.
... Mountaire veterinarian discusses managing E. coli in broilers in the face of IBV infection
Apr 07, 2016PHT Editor
Don Ritter, DVM, of Mountaire Farms, details the company’s recent bout with IB in broilers and the costly secondary infection of E. coli that followed.
... Sanderson veterinarian voices concerns about ‘anti-technology’ movement
Apr 07, 2016PHT Editor
The anti-technology trend that seems popular today has Phil Stayer, DVM, corporate veterinarian for Sanderson Farms, Inc., worried it could have far-reaching, unintended consequences for the industry...
... Live E. coli, Salmonella vaccines remained effective when used together in challenge study
Apr 06, 2016PHT Editor
Administration of a modified-live Escherichia coli vaccine along with a live Salmonella vaccine does not appear to affect the efficacy of either, indicate the results of a recent challenge study.[1]...
... Changes ahead: Everything you need to know about the new guidelines for oral antimicrobials
Apr 04, 2016PHT Editor
Special supplement take an in-depth look at what FDA calls Guidance for Industry No. 213 — the rationale behind it and the changes in store for the US poultry industry.
... Randall Singer: Therapeutics and antibiotic resistance
Apr 03, 2016PHT Editor
By Randall S. Singer, DVM, MPVM, PhD
Department of Veterinary and Biomedial Sciences
University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
... Give agriculture the ‘steering wheel’ for data collection
Mar 30, 2016PHT Editor
Increased veterinary supervision of antimicrobials in food-producing animals is coming about despite the absence of important scientific and ethical insights, according to a Kansas State University...
... Study shows value of E. coli vaccine in chickens
Mar 30, 2016PHT Editor
A live Escherichia coli vaccine provided a high level of protection to chickens challenged with the same E. coli strain as well as cross-protection against a different strain in a recent study...
... VCPR: Should poultry vets follow state or federal guidelines when issuing VFDs?
Mar 28, 2016PHT Editor
Under the VFD rule, licensed veterinarians issuing VFDs will be expected to operate in compliance with either their state-defined veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) or the federally...
Announcements, Antibiotic-free, Flock welfare, Food Safety, Gut Health, Infectious Diseases, ippe2016 - Highlights from our latest issue, Mobile Only, News, PHT GLOBAL, PHT US
... Specialists explore new options for managing flock health while defending judicious antibiotic use
Mar 27, 2016PHT Editor
Growing demand for poultry raised without food-animal antibiotics has put more pressure on veterinarians to find alternative yet dependable disease-control options, according to a panel of nine...
... Veterinary Feed Directive, Final Rule
Mar 24, 2016PHT Editor
Amendment to FDA's animal drug regulations regarding VFD drugs, which is intended to improve the efficiency of the VFD program while protecting human and animal health.
... Surprise bacterium linked to lameness in broilers
Mar 19, 2016PHT Editor
Staphylococcus agnetis, a bacterium not previously known to affect chickens is now thought to be the cause of lameness in broilers, according to University of Arkansas researchers.
... Thinking about going antibiotic-free? Expert panel offers insights, suggestions
Mar 10, 2016PHT Editor
Broiler and turkey companies need to think carefully and weigh all the possible impacts before considering a move to antibiotic-free production, said poultry health experts at a panel discussion held...
... Medically Important Antimicrobials in Animal Agriculture
Mar 10, 2016PHT Editor
Slide presentation from FDA looks at guidelines for judicious use and which drugs are affected by the VFD.
... Veterinary Feed Directive Q&A
Mar 10, 2016PHT Editor
Q&A covers questions submitted during a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) webinar sponsored by Zoetis.
... Veterinary Feed Directive: Plan for a Successful Transition
Mar 08, 2016PHT Editor
Information highlighting the requirements of the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) and how Zoetis is working with the FDA, veterinary associations and the feed industry to help streamline the...
... Guidance for Industry No 120
Mar 08, 2016PHT Editor
Small entity compliance guide, and questions and answers regarding veterinary feed directive regulations.
... Guidance for Industry No 233
Mar 07, 2016PHT Editor
Common questions and answers regarding veterinary feed directive regulations.
... Guidance for Industry No 209
Mar 07, 2016PHT Editor
Recommendations for the judicious use of medically important antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals.
... Guidance for Industry No 152
Mar 07, 2016PHT Editor
Recommendations for assessing the safety of antimicrobial new animal drugs with regard to their microbiological effects on bacteria of human health concern.
... Veterinary Feed Directive: Requirements for Veterinarians 2015
Mar 07, 2016PHT Editor
Information, requirements and responsibilities for licensed veterinarians who issue VFD drugs.
... Antibiotics in poultry requires ethical dialogue
Mar 04, 2016PHT Editor
The editor of WATT PoultryUSA shares his thoughts on the US poultry industry. Gary Thornton discusses legislation, trends, food safety issues and more relating to the poultry and meat industries in...
... Veterinary Feed Directive: Producer Requirements 2015
Feb 18, 2016PHT Editor
Requirements for producers involved in the distribution or use of medicated feed containing a Veterinary Feed Directive drug.
... Managing E. coli in broilers in the face of IBV infection
Feb 12, 2016PHT Editor
Don Ritter, DVM, of Mountaire Farms, Millsboro, Delaware, details the company’s recent bout with infectious bronchitis in broilers and the costly secondary infection of E. coli that followed.
... UGA’s Mark Jackwood: Stop ‘shooting in the dark’ with bronchitis vaccination
Feb 11, 2016PHT Editor
Microbiologist Mark Jackwood, PhD, University of Georgia, urges producers not to “shoot in the dark” with infectious bronchitis vaccines and, instead, to focus on surveillance, monitoring and...
... Taking a holistic approach to poultry health
Feb 11, 2016PHT Editor
Poultry companies need to adopt a "more holistic approach" to poultry medicine — one that considers the birds' environment and other variables that can affect vaccine and antibiotic performance,...
... Balancing consumers’ preferences with flock health, welfare and food safety
Feb 11, 2016PHT Editor
Suzanne Dougherty, DVM, a consulting poultry veterinarian based in Alabama, talks with Poultry Health Today about the challenges of reducing or even eliminating antibiotics in broiler production...
... Antibiotic-free production: Tips for making it work
Feb 10, 2016PHT Editor
After following trends in antibiotic-free production over the past several years, Tim Cummings, DVM, has identified a few production practices worth incorporating.
... Candid camera: Undercover videos on rise in poultry industry
Feb 03, 2016PHT Editor
Undercover videos of poultry farms made by animal activists appear to be on the rise, Mark Crouser, a consultant to the Center for Food Integrity (CFI), reported at the recent National Meeting on...
... Understanding the role of the poultry sector in antibiotic resistance
Jan 28, 2016PHT Editor
ATLANTA, Jan 27 - Antibiotic usage in poultry, its effects on antimicrobial resistance and human health have become highly politicized issues but they are really important, according to Professor...
... Fowl typhoid can become a multi-bacterial disease in poultry
Jan 28, 2016PHT Editor
ATLANTA, Jan 27 - New research from Mississippi State University is helping our understanding of this disease of laying hens.
... Nutrient Management Planning videos developed by USPOULTRY
Jan 26, 2016PHT Editor
TUCKER, Ga. — A video series on nutrient management planning for poultry producers has been developed by the US Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY).
... More than 20 poultry experts to visit Poultry Health Today news desk at IPPE
Jan 25, 2016PHT Editor
ATLANTA, Jan. 25 — More than 20 poultry experts and industry opinion leaders will be interviewed over the next two days at the Poultry Health Today news desk located in Exhibit Hall A of the...
... IPPE: Say thanks to Atlanta with donations to community food bank
Jan 25, 2016PHT Editor
ATLANTA, Jan. 25 — The International Poultry and Processing Expo will donate $5,000 to the Atlanta Community Food Bank to give back to the community that has hosted the industry meeting since 1948.
... Poultry Health Today launches mobile app
Jan 24, 2016PHT Editor
Poultry Health Today, the world’s only magazine, newsletter and website focused entirely on flock health, welfare and sustainability, has partnered with sponsor Zoetis to launch a mobile app for...
... 2016 IPPE Sets Record for Exhibitors
Jan 23, 2016PHT Editor
With only one week remaining until the trade show, the 2016 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) has surpassed 1,300 exhibitors, the most ever.
... Free 2015 AAAP Proceedings Booklet
Jan 21, 2016PHT Editor
Pressures to reduce or eliminate antibiotics from poultry production have created new health and welfare challenges for chickens and turkeys. In this lively roundtable discussion, poultry industry...
... Can we learn from Denmark?
Jan 21, 2016PHT Editor
Proponents of antibiotic-free production often cite the experience in Denmark as “Exhibit A” in their argument against the use of antimicrobials in poultry and livestock feed.
... Marketing vs. Medicine: Finding the balance
Jan 21, 2016PHT Editor
Growing demand for poultry raised without food-animal antibiotics has put more pressure on veterinarians to find alternative yet dependable disease-control options, according to a panel of nine...
... ‘Vets on Call’ video series visits major US egg producer
Jan 20, 2016PHT Editor
The health and welfare of laying hens at Rose Acre Farms —the second largest egg producer in the US — is the subject of a two-part video of the popular “Vets on Call” YouTube series.
... Avian flu back in spotlight with new cases in Indiana
Jan 18, 2016PHT Editor
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of H7N8 avian influenza in nine flocks in southwestern Indiana — the first in the US since June 2015.
... Salmonella prevention requires teamwork between production and processing
Jan 16, 2016PHT Editor
Identifying the pathways of Salmonella contamination has poultry producers and processors looking for answers in every step of the process from the farm to table.
... Educating growers improves broiler biosecurity
Jan 14, 2016PHT Editor
An outreach program in the poultry-intense Delmarva region is helping growers improve biosecurity and protect flocks from potentially devastating disease.
... Newsletter identifies top 5 topics in food and agriculture
Jan 12, 2016PHT Editor
GMOs, organic foods, food safety, farm stewardship and antibiotics were the “most highly discussed” food and agriculture topics by the US media and top influencers in the second half of 2015,...
... New from Poultry Health Today: Editors’ Picks
Jan 07, 2016PHT Editor
Poultry Health Today has introduced Editors’ Picks — a new e-newsletter to showcase top stories and videos that busy readers might have missed the first time around.
... E. coli vaccine stable when rehydrated with diverse water types or combined with coccidiosis vaccine
Jan 06, 2016PHT Editor
A modified-live Escherichia coli vaccine remained “extremely” stable when rehydrated with diverse types of water and when it was combined with a coccidiosis vaccine, indicate the results of a...
... FDA: Salmonella, antibiotic resistance declining in US poultry meat
Jan 02, 2016PHT Editor
Incidence of Salmonella in ground chicken and turkey meat has dropped to its lowest level since the FDA began monitoring the foodborne pathogen, according to a new report. However, the development...
... Canada studies find no links between ionophores, resistance of other antibiotics
Dec 29, 2015PHT Editor
One of the few studies about antibiotic resistance and ionophores in poultry was published by Canadian researchers in 2007 who found that isolates showing resistance to multiple antibiotics can be...
... Cost of necrotic enteritis grossly underestimated
Dec 29, 2015PHT Editor
The true cost of necrotic enteritis (NE) for the world’s poultry industry could be an astounding $US6 billion annually — three times a previous and widely used estimate, according to a...
... Getting gangrenous dermatitis under control
Dec 22, 2015PHT Editor
By Jon Schaeffer, DVM, PhD
Director, Poultry Veterinary Services
Zoetis Inc.
... Shift and drift affect broiler vaccination decisions
Dec 16, 2015PHT Editor
Few viruses in poultry remain static over long periods of time. Slight genetic shifts or mutations that occur during replication result in a genetic code drift away from the original virus. Over...
... 80% of Americans wrongly believe chicken contains hormones, steroids
Dec 16, 2015PHT Editor
Nearly 80% of Americans mistakenly believe that chicken contains added hormones or steroids, when in fact no chicken sold or raised in the US is given hormones or steroids, according to a survey by...
... Tyson Foods balancing antibiotic use, animal stewardship
Dec 15, 2015PHT Editor
Tyson Foods aims to remove all human-used antibiotics from poultry production but will make exceptions for sick poultry when no other treatment would be effective.
... How sweet it is: Maple syrup aids antibiotic performance
Dec 15, 2015PHT Editor
Recent research shows that bacteria become more susceptible to antibiotics when the antibiotics are combined with a phenolic-rich maple syrup extract.
... HPAI spread by poor biosecurity
Dec 15, 2015PHT Editor
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently released an updated epidemiology report outlining its findings on the spread of the highly pathogenic AI through June 5.
... Preventing infection, dehydration helps ensure good chick quality
Dec 10, 2015PHT Editor
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM
Corporate Veterinarian, Sanderson Farms, Inc.
... Wet litter, footpad dermatitis tied to reduced broiler performance
Nov 15, 2015PHT Editor
Increased litter moisture not only led to severe footpad dermatitis (FPD) in broilers, it reduced other aspects of animal welfare and negatively affected performance and carcass yield.
... Three more broiler diseases you can manage with vaccination
Nov 11, 2015PHT Editor
There's more to poultry health than Marek's, IBD, ILT and ND. Vaccines also play major roles in curbing these common diseases.
... Antibiotic use in the U.S. poultry industry
Nov 09, 2015PHT Editor
By
C.S. Roney, DVM, MAM
Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center
University of Georgia, Athens, GA
... Breaches in biosecurity: Sanderson Farms vet shares three valuable lessons
Nov 05, 2015PHT Editor
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM
Corporate Veterinarian, Sanderson Farms, Inc.
... Tips for feeding poultry raised without antibiotics
Oct 13, 2015PHT Editor
Growers replacing antibiotics in poultry diets face a steep learning curve filled with variables relating to bird health, disease pressure, feed inputs and housing, according to WattAgNet.
... Managing ILT: Traditional CEO vaccines still provide ‘best protection’
Sep 30, 2015PHT Editor
John Glisson, DVM — professor emeritus at the University of Georgia and well-known respiratory disease specialist — talks about the ups and downs on infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) in poultry...
... Fine-tuning rotation plan can improve coccidiosis management
Sep 29, 2015PHT Editor
Broiler producers have made important strides in managing coccidiosis but could further improve control and cut losses by rethinking their strategy for anticoccidial rotation, say veterinarians who...
... Ionophores look different to other scientists, too
Sep 28, 2015PHT Editor
Several organizations have drawn the line distinguishing ionophores from other types of antibiotics.
... Are ionophores antibiotics? That depends on whom you ask
Sep 28, 2015PHT Editor
In the EU — a market often perceived to be less tolerant of antibiotic use in food animals than the US — antibiotics used for growth promotion were banned in 2006. However, certain ionophores,...
... Ionophores: The price of elimination
Sep 28, 2015PHT Editor
Published reports indicate that poultry operations not using any type of antibiotic, including ionophores, are indeed experiencing setbacks in production and flock welfare.
... Omitting ionophores raises ethical conflicts for veterinarians
Sep 28, 2015PHT Editor
Some advocacy groups believe that more restaurants and foodservice companies should follow the lead of Chipotle, Panera and Chick-fil-A, which only buy chickens raised without any products classified...
... Complex broiler-vaccine decisions require expert advice
Sep 28, 2015PHT Editor
Developing a vaccination program targeting optimal performance and return requires more planning and expertise than local “experts” at the farm store can offer.
... High stocking density predisposes broilers to NE
Sep 28, 2015PHT Editor
High stocking density has adverse effects on broiler welfare and intestinal health and predisposes the birds to necrotic enteritis (NE), according to the results of an experiment conducted by...
... Editorial: Ignoring the 800-pound gorilla
Sep 28, 2015PHT Editor
With all the worries about avian influenza in the US and other major poultry markets, you’d think a magazine named Poultry Health Today would have made flu its cover story and surrounded the topic...
... The “Huddling Syndrome” in the southeastern US broiler chicken industry: on-going investigations
Sep 27, 2015PHT Editor
By
Drs. Alexis Kiers, Samantha Pohl, Holly Sellers, Monique Franca, Brian Jordan, Stephen Roney
Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
... Sanderson’s Phil Stayer: ‘Sustainability is really nothing new for poultry’
Sep 20, 2015PHT Editor
Maintaining good intestinal health is particularly important for sustainability because the condition of the gut ultimately determines a flock’s growth rate and feed conversion.
... ‘Rotate smarter,’ says coccidiosis specialist
Sep 19, 2015PHT Editor
Poultry producers need to “rotate smarter” and learn the differences between anticoccidials if they want to maintain effective and sustainable coccidiosis-management programs, says well-known...
... Will antibiotic-free trend make US broiler producers less competitive?
Sep 17, 2015PHT Editor
The cascade of food service outlet pledges to purchase only chicken from flocks that have been raised without antibiotics is causing a major shift in how broilers are raised in the US, according to a...
... Sustainability: What on earth does it really mean? And how does it apply to poultry health?
Sep 10, 2015PHT Editor
In the poultry industry, sustainability trends are reshaping every link in the production chain. But what exactly does it mean for poultry to be “sustainable”?
... Waste-heat recovery system could save millions annually while improving air quality
Sep 09, 2015PHT Editor
A team of researchers and engineers from the University of Missouri has developed a waste-heat recovery system that could lead to significant savings in propane costs for producers heating their...
... Environmental risk analysis helps ensure best results with in ovo vaccination
Aug 31, 2015PHT Editor
By
Tarsicio Villalobos, DVM
Director, Technical Service, Biodevices
Zoetis Inc.
... Sustainability: What does it mean to poultry health?
Aug 27, 2015PHT Editor
In agriculture, sustainability translates to producing more with less — a goal that morphs into a dire need when looking at global population trends. According to a recent UN report, food...
... Eight ways to protect your farm from avian flu this fall
Aug 25, 2015PHT Editor
To prepare for the avian flu this fall, the National Chicken Council (NCC) has identified eight biosecurity principles for broiler and broiler-breeder producers.
... British vets question health, welfare of free-range chickens
Aug 25, 2015PHT Editor
While activists tout the happier, healthier life of free-range chickens, veterinarians in Great Britain have expressed concern about their long-term sustainability and increased likelihood of a major...
... Vets treat chickens to prevent foodborne illness
Aug 18, 2015PHT Editor
In the latest episode of Vets on Call, Dr. Pohl and Dr. Chuck Hofacre of the University of Georgia visit a broiler farm to examine the flock’s response to a vaccine.
... Poultry vets are latest focus of popular YouTube series
Aug 16, 2015PHT Editor
The popular YouTube series, Veterinarians on Call, recently turned its cameras on two poultry veterinarians from the University of Georgia to help educate the public on modern poultry production.
... How ionophores control coccidiosis
Aug 15, 2015PHT Editor
by H. David Chapman, PhD
University Professor
Department of Poultry Science
University of Arkansas
... Temperature, relative humidity, bird size affect broiler-house ventilation
Aug 10, 2015PHT Editor
Optimal air quality in tunnel-ventilated broiler houses is a function of temperature, relative humidity, bird heat production and air velocity, according to new research conducted at the University...
... Producing Grade A chicken starts in the broiler house
Aug 05, 2015PHT Editor
In order to produce Grade A chicken at the processing plant, poultry producers must place healthy chicks and maintain bird quality throughout the life cycle.
... Reducing false positives pays in ELISA mycoplasma testing
Aug 05, 2015PHT Editor
Poultry producers should consider specificity when selecting a Mycoplasma ELISA test to avoid costs associated with false positives.
... Got maxima? New sampling procedure aids detection in broilers
Aug 04, 2015PHT Editor
A modified sampling procedure developed by researchers at Zoetis Inc. has dramatically improved the detection of Eimeria maxima infection in broilers.
... New app improves cold-weather ventilation for poultry
Aug 03, 2015PHT Editor
A new app — appropriately named CHKMINVENT — is designed to give poultry producers an easy-to-use means to calculate minimum ventilation rates in their houses during cold weather conditions.
... Flu panel examines US control efforts, impacts on trade
Aug 02, 2015PHT Editor
With well over 200 outbreaks affecting more than 47 million poultry over the last six months, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is hitting the US poultry industry hard.
... Coccidiosis research yielding new perspectives on AST
Jul 30, 2015PHT Editor
Adding molecular biology (PCR) to anticoccidial sensitivity testing (AST), offers a more in-depth look — and surprising findings — of Eimeria species contributing to coccidiosis in poultry...
... Isolates implicate humans in rapid spread of HPAI
Jul 28, 2015PHT Editor
A recent analysis of the viral isolates from all outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in North America points to humans and farm equipment as the leading carriers of the disease from...
... Avian flu cases in US expected to decline with warmer temperatures
Jul 21, 2015PHT Editor
USDA is predicting that avian influenza cases will drop off during the spring and summer months. Increased temperatures, decreased humidity and longer periods of ultraviolet light all play a role in...
... Reality check: Technically, all poultry in the US is ‘antibiotic-free’
Jul 19, 2015PHT Editor
Confidently presenting facts can go a long way toward shaping consumer opinions about commercial poultry production and the importance of maintaining flock health, welfare and efficiency. For this...
... Sanderson CEO gives three reasons for sticking with antibiotics
Jul 18, 2015PHT Editor
Count Joe Sanderson Jr., chairman and CEO of Sanderson Farms, as being on the opposite side of the current movement to shift away from the use of antibiotics in poultry production, according to a...
... Avian influenza expected across entire US for fall
Jul 13, 2015PHT Editor
The US is preparing for the “worst-case scenario” of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza present in all US flyways during the fall of 2015, explained John Clifford, DVM, chief veterinary...
... New tool helps identify Salmonella serotypes
Jul 08, 2015PHT Editor
A new cost-effective diagnostic tool takes aim at identifying numerous serotypes of Salmonella — including the highly virulent Salmonella enterica — which is associated with human illness.
... FDA Releases Biannual Progress Report on Judicious Use of Antimicrobials in Food-producing Animals
Jun 22, 2015PHT Editor
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today its second progress report on its strategy to promote the judicious use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals.
... The growing importance of nighttime air quality
Jun 18, 2015PHT Editor
By Drs. Michael Czarick, Brian Fairchild and Brian Jordan
Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
... Prevention claims essential for ensuring flock health, welfare
Jun 16, 2015PHT Editor
New FDA guidelines that discourage using medically important antibiotics for promoting growth in food animals appear to have been well-received by both producers and most consumer activists.
... Webinar to examine new VFD rules for poultry, livestock
Jun 09, 2015PHT Editor
An interactive webinar to help the poultry and livestock industries understand the FDA’s new rules for the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) has been set for Wednesday, June 17, at 2 pm EDT.
... Guidelines at a glance
Jun 05, 2015PHT Editor
Highlights of the new U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines for antimicrobial usage in poultry and livestock.
... FDA issues rule requiring veterinary supervision of medically important antimicrobials
Jun 02, 2015PHT Editor
The US Food and Drug Administration announced today its final rule for the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) — a move that is said to be “an important piece of the agency’s overall strategy to...
... What’s causing ‘woody breast’ in poultry?
May 28, 2015PHT Editor
A condition known as “woody breast” is puzzling US poultry scientists investigating why breast-muscle tissue from some broiler flocks is hard and tough instead of tender and juicy.
... Walmart, Sam’s Club announce new animal welfare, antibiotic positions
May 27, 2015PHT Editor
Walmart and Sam’s Club recently announced new positions on animal welfare and the responsible use of antibiotics in farm animals.
... Ammonia concentration versus ventilation rate
May 26, 2015PHT Editor
Monitoring ammonia levels in poultry houses can help producers to adjust ventilation rates and thus prevent problems.
... Poultry vet urges poultry producers to guard against E. coli
May 21, 2015PHT Editor
Long regarded as a secondary infection to respiratory disease, E. coli is now rated as a primary infection in many layer and broiler-breeder flocks, according to Jose Linares, DVM and technical...
... Experience with GA 08 provides valuable information about IBV variants in poultry
May 08, 2015PHT Editor
Experience with Georgia 2008 (GA 08) — the infectious bronchitis variant that’s caused major economic losses for poultry producers in the Southeast — has provided valuable information that will...
... Media consultant: Let poultry vets tell the antibiotic story
May 07, 2015PHT Editor
The U.S. poultry industry needs to do a better job telling its story about antibiotics and their role in sustainable production and flock welfare, according to Frank Singleton, a media consultant...
... Leading welfare, food-safety groups urge chicken Industry to reduce antibiotics responsibly
May 05, 2015PHT Editor
ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and Center for Food Safety: "Eliminating the routine use of [antibiotics] without addressing the birds’ underlying health problems...
... Poultry specialist offers tips for managing gut health through better nutrition
Apr 30, 2015PHT Editor
Nutritionist Brett Lumpkins, PhD, of Southern Poultry Research, Athens, Georgia, talks about antibiotic-free poultry production, the challenges it presents and how rations can be adjusted for better...
... Shrewd moves: Like a chess match, anticoccidial rotation is a game of strategy at Wayne Farms
Apr 29, 2015PHT Editor
Your next move might address an immediate need, but it also could determine what pieces are still standing later in the match.
... Defining, and demonstrating, sustainability in the poultry industry
Apr 22, 2015PHT Editor
Billy Hargis, PhD, University of Arkansas, thinks the US poultry industry has already set high standards for sustainability, but its efforts are largely misunderstood and unappreciated.
... What’s left if we lose antibiotics?
Apr 20, 2015PHT Editor
Bacterial resistance is developing quickly and many critically important drugs risk becoming obsolete. Disastrous consequences lie in wait therefore unless these drugs are used prudently.
... Studies demonstrate the benefits of dual-needle in ovo vaccine delivery
Apr 20, 2015PHT Editor
by Taylor Barbosa, DVM, PhD, ACPV,
Director of Outcomes Research, Zoetis Inc.
... Coccidiosis expert: Timing and combination of cocci control methods critical
Apr 18, 2015PHT Editor
Greg Mathis, PhD, of Southern Poultry Research, Athens, Georgia, talks about the continued challenges managing coccidiosis and offers suggestions for improving management programs targeting the...
... USDA proposes new measures to reduce Salmonella, Campylobacter
Apr 06, 2015PHT Editor
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on January 21 proposed new federal standards to reduce Salmonella and Campylobacter in ground chicken and turkey products as well as raw chicken...
... Analysis of antimicrobial data confirms human-animal link
Apr 06, 2015PHT Editor
A new study by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) shows that there are also important differences in the consumption of antimicrobials in animals and in humans between European countries.
... Broiler chicks show less tendon swelling, weight suppression in reovirus vaccine study
Apr 02, 2015PHT Editor
A recent study showed that broiler chicks receiving higher reovirus antibody levels from conventionally vaccinated hens had a lower incidence of tendon swelling and were protected from weight...
