Battling Antibiotic Residues

"We typically prescripted penicillin at 1 cc per 20 lb. previously, with a 17-day withdrawal. We now recommend that clients extend the withdrawal to 60 days [sows] to decrease the likelihood of its use resulting in a KIS test-positive animal," [Dyneah Classen] says. Speaking from experience, Classen says producers who've been suspended from shipping may need to submit corrective action plans to alternative markets that will take their products. "The plan would be similar to that submitted to the producer's original packer, stating what the producer has done to prevent this violation from happening again. Working with a veterinarian can assist the producer in this process." "I actually had a producer who recently received feed that was supposed to go to his neighbor's farm," Classen says. "When that happens, work with that feedmill to get that feed out of the bin and disposed of. If the feed contained an antibiotic, identify the product and the withdrawal time as you prepare animals for market."