Farm animal antibiotic selection

What are current concerns regarding farm animal antibiotics?

Human salmonellosis

Possible to transfer resistance genes

What antimicrobials should you avoid (category A)?

What is Arlagarden?

Standards for all Arla farmers across Europe

High priority critically important antibiotics are not used

Before treatment there is either- a vet diagnosis in place or, vet protocols are followed that lead to a diagnosis

What are the Arlagarden dry cow therapy standards?

Overall antibiotic use= antibiotic therapy is only used if there is evidence that shows the need for the treatment

Dry cow therapy= there is an implemented drying off protocol in place which may include a decision tree. Cows are only treated when there is evidence that treatment is necessary based on the needs of the cow.

How do you dispose of residue containing milk?

Down the drain

To calves?

Milk powder - £1,500 per tonne, £35 per bag, 2 bags until a calf is weaned at about 2 months – male dairy calf at weaning worth approx £50

Linked to antimicrobial resistance in enteric bacteria from calves?

Testing for other residues such as NSAIDs and flukicides?

Banned in some supply chains (e.g. Arla, Tesco) but difficult to audit

What is dry cow therapy?

Intra-mammary tubes given at start of dry period

Aim to control mastitis and reduce cell count

If cow calves early then may have to keep out milk initially from bulk tank

All calves given colostrum – maternally derived antibodies

Therefore calves may get antibiotics or resistant organisms in milk from this source too.

Better to give Abs when milk not going into food chain to prevent further infection?

How would you approach microbial disease in farm animals?

Herd Health assessment – where are they now

Herd Health plan – where should they be going

Disease prevention
– Biosecurity
– Address risk factors for disease – where disease currently present needing treatment / prophylaxis
– Address risk factors for disease – where disease not currently present
– e.g. ventilation, drainage, milking operating procedures etc
– Immune function – transition cow management, negative energy balance, minerals etc