Three meetings statewide on drug residue in milk

PULLMAN – Drug residues in milk will be discussed by Washington State University faculty at three meetings for dairy producers and veterinarians statewide.

 

The meetings will start at 11 a.m. and lunch, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health and Northwest Dairy Association, will be provided. The meetings will be:

 

Wednesday, March 30, Bon Vino’s Bistro, 122 N. 16th St., Sunnyside
Thursday, March 31, Kit Carson Restaurant, 107 Interstate Ave., Chehalis
Friday, April 1, Fairway Café, 1726 Front St., Lynden.

 

Dale Moore, director of veterinary medicine extension, and John Wenz, assistant professor in the field disease investigation unit of veterinary clinical sciences, will be among the speakers.

 

Topics will include reasons for drug residue, prevention strategies, reduction of disease and treatment, better drug withdrawal times, tuning in to clues from the cows, and the proposed process for milk testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

The FDA plans to begin a milk sampling program aimed at approximately 900 dairies across the U.S., randomly selected from a national pool of 1,600-1,800. Since this announcement, dairy organizations and co-ops have provided information to producers. However, there are still some questions about the process and consequences of the testing program.

 

The meetings are co-sponsored by WSU Extension and the Washington State Department of Agriculture.