With big changes to rules governing antibiotic use in animal agriculture pending at the end of this year, producer opinions range from cautious support to skeptical opposition. Some are taking a wait-and-see approach. John Maday, Bovine Veterinarian editor, shared producer survey feedback that indicates the education process is far from finished. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, … [Read more...]
Dr. Leah Dorman talks about antibiotics
Dr. Dorman shared a few insights on how producers can effectively talk with consumers about antibiotics ahead of the 6th Annual NIAA Antibiotics symposium. Her comments provide reasoning for handling antibiotic discussions. Source: NIAA, September 29, 2016. Dorman is the Director of Food Integrity and Consumer Engagement of Phibro Animal Health. In this role she provides … [Read more...]
Antibiotics in feed: a brief history – Sponsored Content
Ask anyone who has worked in animal health for 10 years or more what the hottest topics are, antibiotic resistance will be one of their first answers. Our world is rapidly adapting our approaches to food production, animal wellness and human health to be less dependent on antibiotics. While viewing this video, I reflected on the how the scientific method* brought us to where … [Read more...]
New resource helps people understand expanded feed directive
Human and animal health experts agree that antibiotic resistance is a public health concern. This is why some agriculture groups, including the Animal Health Institute, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Animal Agriculture Alliance launched a new educational website, togetherABX. It offers information about how the Food and Drug … [Read more...]
All U.S. poultry is ‘antibiotic-free’
All poultry meat that enters the U.S. food supply is, by definition, antibiotic-free or, more specifically, it is free of antibiotic residues by the time it reaches consumers — regardless of how the birds were raised. “There is absolutely no nutritional difference in meat from poultry raised without antibiotics compared to poultry that receive antibiotics,” says Mike Lacy, PhD, … [Read more...]
Antibiotic resistance: a human health perspective
Our AHD team urges all animal health professionals to read this three-page overview of the inherent challenges we will deal with as the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) grows. Source: National Institute for Animal Agriculture, August 11, 2016. Sustainable solutions to the AMR problem are required because the “arms race” between human efforts to find magic bullets to … [Read more...]
Staph: old problem, new threat
Staphylococcal infections have gained national media attention recently because of growing resistance to antibiotics. This lecture reviews the basics of staphylococcal pyoderma in dogs and cats. Resistance mechanisms are also discussed. Source: VetFolio, July 26, 2016. Broadcast Dates: August 1 - 14, 2016 (On Demand). Suggestions regarding how to answer your clients’ most … [Read more...]
Rethinking stink about antibiotics in manure
Much of the antibiotics fed to livestock goes to waste — literally. “Often, 90 percent or more of the antibiotic is excreted, according to previous studies,” says Francis Zvomuya, researcher at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. “Manure containing these is then used as fertilizer on crops.” Source: Midwest Ag Journal, July 4, 2016. Zvomuya, Amarakoon and their … [Read more...]
Humans love antibiotics
Antibiotic zealots better include the human animal when they lobby for prudent antibiotic. That’s according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in early May. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, June 27, 2016. Per 1,000 members of the U.S. population, an estimated 506 prescriptions were written annually. Of these, 353 were deemed appropriate based … [Read more...]