DEPARTEMENT ANNOUNCES NEW STATE VETERINARIAN

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is announcing the hiring of Daniel W. Christensen, DVM, as the new Utah state veterinarian, taking the place of Dean Taylor, DVM, who retired from UDAF on Dec. 30, 2022.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Christensen to our department and are confident that he will serve the people of Utah well,” said Craig Buttars, UDAF Commissioner. “We would also like to extend our gratitude to Dr. Taylor for his dedication and service as the state veterinarian for the past three years, managing an unprecedented number of animal disease outbreaks and helping provide stability to animal health regulation.”

Christensen received his DVM from Kansas State University and has spent the last several years serving our nation working for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute as well as at the Tripler Army Medical Center as the attending veterinarian. His background in infectious disease research and veterinary practices make him wellqualified to oversee the industry’s needs as state veterinarian. Christensen will be joining UDAF in August of 2023.

During the interim, Amanda Price, DVM, will serve as the Utah state veterinarian. Price has been the assistant state veterinarian for the past three years and has been a vital part of UDAF. She has expertise in infectious diseases and animal health and has played a major role in helping contain the various outbreaks during her time at UDAF. Following Christensen’s start at UDAF, Price will continue to serve as the assistant state veterinarian.

Key Antibiotics To Become Prescription Only In 2023

In June 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) will implement their Guidance for Industry (GFI) #263 which instructs animal drug companies to voluntarily change labels so that antibiotics, which are medically important for human medicine and currently available over-the-counter for animals, will require a prescription from a licensed veterinarian for legal use.

GFI #263 builds upon FDA’s previous GFI #213, which brought 96% of all medically important antibiotic drugs used in water and feed for animals under veterinary oversight and limited their use to treatment, control, and prevention of specific diseases. GFI #263 addresses the remaining 4% of the medically important antimicrobial drugs not covered by GFI #213 and includes other dosage forms such as injectable and topical products.

Antibiotics are a powerful tool for both animal and human health. They can be used to prevent and treat infections caused by bacteria. However, when antibiotics are not used properly and responsibly, bacteria can become resistant or unresponsive. Antibiotics can continue to be effective for prevention, control, and treatment of disease through good stewardship and responsible use. GFI #263 is consistent with FDA, CVM’s five-year action plan for supporting antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary settings, as published in 2018.

What do these changes mean for cattle producers in the United States? After June 2023, producers will need a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) to obtain medically important antibiotics. All medically important antibiotics previously available over-the-counter will require a prescription from a veterinarian licensed in the state where the cattle reside.

Producers should identify a veterinarian as a partner in supporting the health of their cattle. By having a veterinarian who is familiar with you and your cattle, the veterinarian can be prepared to provide appropriate care in case of an illness or infection. Before illness occurs, set protocols for common conditions with your veterinarian so that you have access to the antibiotics needed to take swift action on your own and recognize when you need to involve your veterinarian. Illness and infections are never convenient. The best time to talk to your veterinarian is before animals are sick. Planning with your veterinarian ensures you can care for your cattle herd in a timely manner and when it matters most.

Join Us in Celebrating Our Centennial

In 2023, Sitz Angus is celebrating 100 years of serving cattleman with an unwavering commitment to providing Angus seedstock with an emphasis on maternal strength and producer profitability.

While pursuing the American dream, Will and Freida Sitz purchased their first registered Angus cattle in 1923. Four generations of the Sitz family, enduring challenges along the way, have grown and cultivated Sitz Angus into what it is today.