Dr. James D. McKean

Publish Date: April 17, 2012

Improper injection techniques cost the pork industry thousands of dollars each year. Injection-site reactions, broken needles and lack of product efficacy are consequences of improper injection technique. Everyone involved in treating pigs must understand and use proper injection techniques. Each pork producer should develop an education plan to assure that all animal caretakers understand the responsibilities that go with giving injections to food producing animals.

Publish Date: April 17, 2012

A primary food safety responsibility of pork producers is to market pigs without violative chemical residues to the market(s) they serve. This involves knowing where animal health product withdrawal time information can be found, and how to apply this knowledge every time a drug is used. All animal caretakers must be committed to preventing the marketing of animals with violative residues. The commitment includes reading and following label directions, identifying treated animals and keeping records and protocols that assure the withdrawal time has elapsed before marketing a treated animal. Proper drug usage is everyone’s responsibility.

Publish Date: April 17, 2012

Even before there is a need to treat an animal, pork producers should have a plan for the identification of treated animals. This plan should include the type of animal identification that is most appropriate for treated animals in their operation.