Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health, Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab
(Image Source: Minnesota Department of Agriculture)
Why keep drug records?
There are numerous reasons to keep records regarding the medication use on your farm. For starters keeping records helps to prevent an accidental residue violation. Records can also help improve your veterinarian’s effectiveness and ensure an effective herd health plan. Records also reduce liability as drug records are required by law. In many ways keeping good records can help save money.
What should be included in drug records?
- Treatment date
- Name of drug
- Animal identification
- Dosage
- Route of administration
- Expected duration
- Withdrawal time for milk and meat
- Individual who administered the drug
- Actual duration of therapy
Veterinarians must keep their records (written or electronic) for a minimum of two years. While it is not mandatory that producers keep records on animals treated with drugs for two years it is STRONGLY recommended they do. Some drug records are required by law. It is a sign of good management for producers to keep complete, accurate, and clear records- especially when dealing with drug use. Records can include but are not limited to: Drug inventory, drugs purchased, treatments, veterinary relevant information, and how drugs were disposed.
Examples of record keeping templates:
- Record Keeping for Drug Residue Program – Ohio Department of Agriculture
- Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM): National Dairy Farm – Under FARM Resource > Antibiotics Stewardship Resources