Refer to the Canadian Cattlemen Quality Starts Here Medicine Reference for Beef Producers. The intent of this reference guide is to assist the Canadian Cattle industry to strive and achieve consistent animal health activities and to continue to provide a safe, quality beef product.

Purchase only approved feed medications as listed in the Compendium of Medicating Ingredient Brochures (CMIB) for use in cattle and follow the Canadian Feed Act & Regulations.

Use feed medications according to the Compendium of Medicating Ingredient Brochures (CMIB) or valid veterinarian prescription. Consult the compendium for which drugs require registration and adherence to regulatory practices.

The use of the correct medicating ingredient and the correct animal weight are important.

Obtain a written Veterinary Feed Prescription when using medicating ingredients at a level or for a purpose not listed in the CMIB. A valid Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) is required before a veterinary feed prescription is written.

Ensure that Veterinary prescription feeds are labelled with:

Ensure staff are trained in the handling and mixing of medicated feeds, and in the importance of ensuring the correct amount of medicated ingredient is used.

Receive medicated feeds according to the requirements and documentation for other feedstuffs. Record on the Ingredient Receival Record.

Ensure that all incoming feed medication ingredients are properly labelled and contain a feed tag with label instructions, including the name of the drug and how to use the product. For concentrates, the tag should also show the lot number and expiry date. Keep medicated feed tags on file for one to two years.

Store bags of feed medication in a clean and dry, well lighted, adequately sized area, free of rodents, birds and insects. Keep feed additives in original packages, and store them in labelled, closed containers such as plastic garbage cans. Ensure that pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides and other poisons are not mixed with the same equipment or stored on the same premises as feed ingredients. Ensure all spills are cleaned up immediately.

Dispose of outdated feed medications through the manufacturer or supplier.

Clean mixer, micro-hopper and augers after making a medicated feed, whether manually or by flushing with another feed ingredient i.e., calcium or barley to clean our residual medications. Be sure to dispose of these ingredients and do not dump in a place where it may be used as feed.

Consider using a separate auger system to deliver medicated supplements or clean it between medicated and non-medicated feeds to prevent drug carry-over.

Document the process for mixing feed medication additives (recipe), including the length of mixing. Monitor the process regularly. A proper feed mixing sequence will reduce the potential of drug carry-over. Mixer validation tests should be done on a regular basis.

Closely follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for mixing times and validate by the mixer efficiency test. Document mixing times and closely monitor.

Consider mixing down low inclusion level medication with some type of carrier. This will achieve better mixing and more consistency in total mixed rations.

Clearly document feeding procedures. Use feed sequencing of medicated and non-medicated rations to flush out the equipment to prevent drug carry-over.

When feasible, use a separate auger system and feed truck to feed medicated starter rations.

Keep an accurate and up-to-date inventory of feed medication. Store inventory records of medication for two years.

Closely monitor all withdrawal times for feed medications and cross check records before shipment of live cattle.