Antimicrobial Stewardship on Dairy Farms

Overview: Antimicrobial drugs have been successfully and widely used in human and veterinary medicine for decades. When used judiciously, antimicrobials can effectively fight bacterial infections to maintain animal health. However, excessive use may promote the development of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria that have an impact on human health. Therefore, it is critical that antimicrobials are applied judiciously.

Overall goal: Improve judicious antimicrobial use on farms, while maintaining animal health and producer profitability.

  • Specific Aim 1: To use a hierarchical survey approach to identify influences and barriers to reduced antimicrobial use at the veterinarian and farm worker level.
  • Specific Aim 2: To determine the impact of comprehensive, farm worker directed antimicrobial stewardship education.
  • Specific Aim 3: To disseminate antimicrobial stewardship programs to farm personnel and practicing veterinarians using a Comprehensive Extension Teaching Program.

Benefits: this collaborative effort will deliver critically important information and educational tools necessary for improved antimicrobial stewardship on dairy farms.

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Research team:

Project coordinators:

  • Dr. Jessica A. Pempek, Ph.D. Research Associate. pempek.4@osu.edu
  • Dr. Rafael Portillo-Gonzalez. Ph.D. student. portillo-gonzalez.1@osu.edu

Principal Investigator:

  • Dr. Greg Habing, DVM, MS, Ph.D. Associate Professor. habing.4@osu.edu