Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing concern for both animal and human health. Dairy farms play a critical role in addressing this issue by adopting responsible antimicrobial use (AMU) practices. Monitoring and optimizing AMU not only helps prevent resistant infections but also improves animal welfare, ensures food safety, and enhances farm efficiency. A recent study highlights significant variation in AMU across farms, presenting clear opportunities to adopt more sustainable and effective practices.
Why Monitoring AMU is Crucial
Antimicrobial resistance develops when bacteria adapt to survive treatments, making infections harder to manage. Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials accelerate this process, posing risks to both animals and humans. Common bacterial infections on dairy farms, such as mastitis and respiratory diseases, can become untreatable if AMU is not carefully managed.
By monitoring AMU, farms can:
- Reduce the risk of antimicrobial residues in food products.
- Enhance treatment success and animal welfare.
- Make data-driven decisions to improve farm practices.
- Comply with regulatory requirements.
Tracking AMU is a proactive step toward reducing reliance on antibiotics while improving overall farm sustainability.
How AMU is Measured
A key metric for monitoring AMU is the Animal Daily Dose (ADD). This metric reflects the average number of antibiotic doses administered per 1,000 cow-days, enabling farms to track usage patterns and compare performance with others. For example, an ADD of 10 indicates that 10 doses are used daily for every 1,000 cows.
Combining AMU data with disease metrics, such as mastitis incidence, provides a comprehensive understanding of farm health and treatment practices. This approach helps identify patterns of overuse or under-treatment, paving the way for more informed management decisions.
Wide Variation in AMU Practices
Research reveals considerable variation in AMU across farms, driven by differences in disease management and treatment protocols. A recent study of dairy farms in Ohio and California found ADD values ranging from 1.7 to 71.6 per 1,000 cow-days (Portillo-Gonzalez et al., 2023). This wide range highlights opportunities for improvement, especially on farms with higher AMU.
Access the study here
Factors influencing AMU variation include:
- Disease prevention measures like vaccination and hygiene.
- Definitions of disease cases and treatment protocols.
- Dose and duration of antimicrobial treatments.
Farms with strong disease prevention programs and evidence-based treatment practices often have lower AMU, demonstrating that effective management reduces the need for antibiotics.
Steps for Monitoring AMU
To track AMU effectively, farms should maintain detailed records, including:
- Type and dosage of antimicrobials used.
- Administration methods and withholding periods.
- Number of animals treated and reasons for treatment.
Herd management software and collaboration with veterinarians can simplify record-keeping and help calculate ADD. Linking AMU data with disease metrics can identify opportunities to enhance disease prevention and refine treatment protocols.
Four Strategies to Reduce AMU
- Focus on Prevention:
- Improve nutrition, biosecurity, and vaccination programs.
- Detect and address health issues early to minimize treatment needs.
- Follow Protocols:
- Regularly review treatment protocols with veterinarians.
- Use antibiotics only when clearly necessary and likely to be effective.
- Optimize Dose and Duration:
- Shorten treatment durations when appropriate without compromising efficacy.
- Adopt Selective Dry Cow Therapy:
- Target antimicrobials for cows at higher risk of infection or with existing infections.
Conclusion
By monitoring and reducing AMU, dairy farmers can improve animal health, enhance farm sustainability, and play a key role in combating antimicrobial resistance. Adopting these strategies ensures the long-term effectiveness of antibiotics, protecting both animal welfare and public health.
