Educational Materials & Marketing Services
Extension 4-H Youth Bldg.
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Educational Materials & Marketing Services |
1/27/04
Contact: Rachel E. Martin, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-9124, remartin@iastate.edu
Developing Feedlot Protocols for Your Antibiotic Program
AMES, Iowa- Growing concern from the public and regulators about food safety and antibiotic resistance is changing how feedlots care for their cattle. During a presentation at the recent Feedlot Conference in Ames, Dr. Mike Apley of Iowa State University Veterinary Medicine discussed the future of antibiotics, regulatory trends, and production.
Apley's presentation began with addressing pressures on the beef industry, specifically regarding the government's concern with antimicrobial resistance and society's concern with animal welfare. As a result, producers need to be more cognizant of their programs and the implications of antibiotic use when it comes time to sell. Large corporate organizations, such as McDonald's, are establishing their own policies on antibiotic use in the cattle that produce the meat they purchase.
" With the recent congressional activity and consumer pressure put on processors, a producer's mindset needs to be: 'How do I defend my antibiotic program to a consumer?'" explains Apley. To begin, producers can include the following when developing feedlot protocols:
* Characterization of the disease - evaluate how many get sick (morbidity) and how many of the treated cattle die (case fatality).
* Case definitions - establish selection criteria to identify which animals are truly sick
* Establish regimen designs -select drug, dosage, route, duration, frequency and injection site for each treatment used and then place these treatments in order
* Use consistent application of treatment protocols
* Establish criteria for classifying an animal as successfully treated or as a treatment failure
* Outcome evaluation - use records and post-mortem exams to assess what worked and what didn't
As a general rule, Apley added that about 5 to 10 percent of high-risk cattle treated for respiratory disease will not survive the illness, no matter what programs are in place. This puts a real premium on preventive programs. Additionally, when working with your vet, be sure to use evidence-based decision-making processes by asking background questions about the disease and specific questions about managing the cattle with the problem. As a final thought, he added, "Give yourself an educational prescription. Ask your veterinarian for the evidence supporting each product or management strategy you include in your disease prevention and treatment programs." Contact Dr. Apley at apley@iastate.eduor (515) 294-6462 for more information.
The IBC Feedlot Conference, sponsored by the Iowa Beef Center, is part of an extensive program of seminars, conferences and informational research summaries from the Iowa Beef Center. The conference is held biannually and is attended by Iowa beef producers and feedlot managers dedicated to improving their production programs and their bottom line, while respecting the environment and addressing the needs of consumers.
As a part of Iowa State University Extension, the Iowa Beef Center is the central access point for Iowa State University programs related to the beef industry. For more information about the IBC or the 2003 Feedlot Conference, visit the Web site at www.iowabeefcenter.org or call (515) 294-BEEF.
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