Background: Limited research exists on antimicrobial use practices of beef farmers. This study aimed to investigate antimicrobial practices and perceptions of beef farmers in England and Wales, and identify drivers of higher antimicrobial use for treatment of bovine pneumonia.
Methods: A survey was sent out in 2017 to beef farmers in England and Wales who supply to two abattoirs. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. A logistic regression model was built to determine factors associated with treating greater than 5 per cent of the predominant group in the herd with antimicrobials for pneumonia.
Results: There were a total of 171 useable responses. Most farmers reported using antimicrobials in less than 5 per cent of their herd for the treatment of common diseases. Most farmers (90 per cent) reported that they understood what antimicrobial resistance means, but only 55 per cent were aware of critically important antimicrobials and 9 per cent could name at least one critically important antimicrobial. Having a calf-rearing enterprise and not considering Johne's disease when buying in cattle were associated with using antimicrobials to treat pneumonia in greater than 5 per cent of the predominant group in the herd.
Conclusion: Self-reported antimicrobial use appears to be low in beef farms. However, some gaps in understanding aspects of antimicrobial stewardship by farmers were identified.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.105878 | DOI Listing |
Data Brief
February 2025
Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Latokartanonkaari 5, 00014, Finland.
High Nature Value (HNV) farming systems occur in areas where the major land use is agriculture and are characterized by their significance in promoting biodiversity and ecosystem services due to their extensive land use. Despite their importance for ecological and socio-economic resilience of rural regions, these systems are often overlooked in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies due to challenges in data compilation, especially from small local farms and because of the diversity of production. To address this gap, we established an international collaborative network across Europe, involving professionals directly engaged with farmers, farmer associations, and researchers to collect data on HNV farms employing a developed questionnaire examining inputs and outputs, farm structures, and herd characteristics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Anim Sci
January 2025
Selko USA, Indianapolis, IN 46231, USA.
Seventy-two nonlactating, pregnant Angus cows (initial body weight [BW] = 637 ± 13 kg; body condition score [BCS] = 5.5 ± 0.07 yr; and age = 6.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Ind Med
December 2024
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Background: Farm operators are at a high risk of developing skin cancer due to their occupational sun exposure. With the growing incidence of skin cancer, it is also important to evaluate other occupational risk factors. Farm operators confront numerous physical, chemical, and biological hazards in their work environment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Dairy Sci
December 2024
Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z6, Canada. Electronic address:
Citizens are becoming increasingly disconnected from food production. Despite this, many people still hold strong values about how food is produced. The aim of this study was to attain an in-depth understanding of Australian public attitudes toward sustainability and animal welfare in dairy production, as well as early life killing of surplus dairy calves and cow-calf separation; issues commonly identified as being out of step with public values.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFiScience
December 2024
University of Copenhagen, Department of Biology, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 København Ø, Denmark.
Grazing at near-natural stocking rates is increasingly rare, whereas abandonment and overgrazing is common, despite both leading to loss of threatened species. Here, we evaluate a biodiversity-promotion strategy of a beef-producing company involving livestock grazing for conservation. Using field surveys, a national biodiversity map, and farmer interviews, we evaluate the conservation potential of farmers committing to a conservation grazing scheme.
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