Quality Control Program with
Coxistac 6% and Posistac 6% Premixes
AN UPDATE
Due to the chemical properties of this compound, Coxistac* and Posistac* are contraindicated for use in dogs, horses and turkeys as it is toxic to these species. Therefore, Coxistac* or Posistac* should never be included in any feeds intended for dogs, horses or turkeys.
Canadian Feed Manufacturers have as an objective to produce feeds of the highest quality as possible. However, some mills have accidentally mixed ionophores in feeds intended for non target species, with disastrous results. The following, summarized from Ag. Canada's publication "Medicated Feed Information Guide", represents steps that the Feed Manufacturer can take to prevent both accidental contamination and cross contamination of ionophores as well as other medications:
- Ensure that all feedmill personnel are trained and familiar with the
proper use and handling of drugs.
- Recommend the routine use of products only for the indications
approved on the label.
-
Use medications only at approved levels, unless under veterinary
prescriptions.
-
When manufacturing prescription feeds, only use drug premix
products with a drug identification number (D.I.N.) on the label. Ensure
that the original prescription is submitted to Agriculture Canada.
- Ensure that feeds are properly labelled and tagged and the producer
is aware of the directions for use, withdrawal periods, warnings and
contraindication statements.
- Ensure that weigh scales are routinely tested for tare weight and have
the capacity to weigh precise amounts.
- Conduct mixer efficiency tests to ensure that small quantities can be
properly mixed.
- Sequence production schedules to ensure that feeds containing medicants which are toxic to other species are never manufactured prior to feeds for livestock which would be susceptible to these toxic effects if contamination occurred. For example, unmedicated hog grower should be manufactured after feed containing Coxistac*, NOT unmedicated turkey grower.
When two incompatible feeds must be manufactured one after
another, always thoroughly flush the feed mixing system. This
incompatibility occurs due to different medications being used in
each feed, or to individual warning/caution statements.
- Ensure, when handling broken bags and spilled medicated feed, that
appropriately labelled salvage containers are subsequently used.
- Check that feed delivery trucks are always cleaned and compartment
dividers are in good repair.
- When filling feed trucks, order amounts that will minimize spillage
from medicated feed to non-medicated feeds.
- Develop a system to ensure that the feed is delivered to the proper
barn and/or farm bin.
One of the most important aspects of the feed manufacturers quality control program is the process of bulk delivery. In fact, the delivery process is the final quality control check point. However, this load out process also provides an ideal opportunity for inspection.
To assist feed manufacturers in their quality control programs, Pfizer is
now including Microtracer in its Coxistac* 6% and Posistac* 6%
premixes. A simple and easy test, performed during the load-out process,
to determine the presence of this tracer will allow for:
- the qualitative identification of Coxistac* or Posistac* in targeted
finished feeds,
- the qualitative identification of Coxistac* or Posistac* in non target
rations due to improper mixing, handling or storage.
What is Microtracer? Microtracer consists of 50,000 stainless steel particles per gram, coated with a unique certified food colorant. Microtracers are stable in feeds and premixes and are designed to avoid significant loss to magnetic separators in feedmills.
To determine the presence of Microtracer in finished feeds, Pfizer will supply you with a Rotary Detector. As ground finished feed samples are passed through this Detector, a magnet rotating at high velocity separates out the tracer particles. A paper filter placed on this magnet retains the particles and upon the addition of a developing solution, a qualitative identification of the presence of Coxistac* or Posistac* can be made (see reverse page).
The ultimate goal of Pfizer Animal Health and all manufacturers of feed, is to consistently provide a wholesome and unadulterated product to the livestock producer. The addition of Microtracer to both Coxistac* 6%and Posistac* 6% premixes combined with a sound "good manufacturing practice" program, will allow the feed manufacturer to achieve this common goal.