The current Beef Quality Assurance guidelines are as follows:
Feedstuffs
Maintain records of any pesticide/herbicide use on pasture or crops grazed or fed that could potentially lead to violative residues in grazing or feedlot cattle.
Adequate quality control program(s) are in place for incoming feedstuffs. The program should be designed to eliminate contamination from molds, mycotoxins or chemicals of incoming feed ingredients. Supplier assurance of feed ingredient quality is recommended.
Suspect feedstuffs should be analyzed prior to use.
Ruminant-derived protein sources cannot be fed to cattle per FDA regulations.
Feeding by-product ingredients should be supported by sound science.
Feeding of ruminant by-products to ruminants is prohibited.
Feed Additives and Medications
Only FDA approved medicated feed additives will be used in rations.
Medicated feed additives will be used in accordance with the FDA Good Manufacturing Practices regulation.
Extra-label use of feed additives is illegal and strictly prohibited.
Strict adherence to withdrawal times must be maintained to avoid violative residues.
Where applicable, complete records must be kept when formulating or feeding medicated feed rations.
Records are to be kept a minimum of three years.
Operator will assure that all additives are with drawn at the proper time to avoid violative residues.
Processing/Treatment and Records
Following all FDA/USDA/EPA guidelines for product(s) utilized.
All products are to be used per label directions.
Extra-label drug use shall be kept to a minimum, and used only when prescribed by a veterinarian working under a valid Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR).
Strict adherence to extended withdrawal periods (as determined by the veterinarian within the context of a valid VCPR) shall be employed.
Treatment records will be maintained with the following recorded:
1. Individual animal or group identification.
2. Date treated.
3. Product administered and manufacturers lot/serial number.
4. Dosage used.
5. Route and location of administration.
6. Earliest date animal will have cleared withdrawal period.
When cattle are processed as a group, all cattle within the group shall be identified as such, and the following information recorded:
1. Group or lot identification.
2. Date treated.
3. Product administered and manufacturers lot/serial number.
4. Dosage used.
5. Route and location of administration.
6. Earliest date animal will have cleared withdrawal period.
All cattle (fed & non-fed) shipped to slaughter will be checked by appropriate personnel to assure that animals that have been treated meet or exceed label or prescription withdrawal times for all animal health products administered.
All processing and treatment records should be transferred with the cattle to the next production level. Prospective buyers must be informed of any cattle that have not met withdrawal times.
Injectable Animal Health Products
All products labeled for subcutaneous (SQ) administration shall be administered SQ in the neck region only.
Products labeled for intramuscular (IM) use shall be given in the neck region only (no exceptions, regardless of age).
All products cause tissue damage when injected IM. Therefore, all IM use should be avoided if possible.
Products cleared for SQ, IV or oral administration are recommended.
No more than 10 cc of product is administered per injection site.
Care and Husbandry Practices
All cattle will be handled/transported in such a fashion to minimize stress, injury and bruising.
Facilities (fences, corrals, load-outs, etc.) should be inspected regularly to ensure proper care and ease of handling.
Strive to keep feed and water handling equipment clean.
Provide appropriate nutritional and feedstuffs management.
Strive to maintain a clean environment appropriate to the production setting.