Antibiotic Usage in Dairy Farms

Dear Colleagues,

Antibiotic usage in livestock production systems is acknowledged as an important driver of the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in animals. Livestock systems create optimal conditions for bacteria to acquire resistance genes and allow the transmission of resistant bacteria to humans and the environment. Data on antibiotic usage are required to estimate the effects of this usage in livestock production systems. Initiatives to measure antibiotic usage in livestock have primarily been focused on intensive systems such as poultry and pig production, where the use of antibiotics tends to be highest. There are fewer data available globally on the use of antibiotics in dairy farming, although extensive and prophylactic use of antibiotics can occur in this sector, particularly for conditions such as mastitis. The aim of this Special Issue is to publish original research papers or reviews concerning antibiotic usage on dairy farms and the impact of antibiotic usage on animal health, human health, and the environment.

Areas of interest: antibiotic usage prevalence studies or surveillance outputs; factors associated with antibiotic usage on dairy farms; data recording and collection of antibiotic usage data on dairy farms; the effect of antibiotic usage on antimicrobial resistance in dairy cows and in the dairy farm environment.

Dr. Lucy Brunton
Dr. Cristina Ballesteros
Guest Editors

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• antibiotics
• usage
• antimicrobial resistance
• dairy
• cattle
• One Health