Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic Resistance

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
I am doing this story for personal reasons. I got a sinus infection five months ago and have not been able to get rid of it despite the fact that I have been on antibiotics of all kind and had surgery. 20 years ago a common antibiotic would have knocked it out in three days. What I'm saying is antibiotic resistance is on the move. Now to the story.

Antibiotic use in the livestock industry has been put under a microscope in recent years. According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Beef Extension, there's concern for antibiotic resistance associated with daily antibiotic use in animal feeds.

The 2017 Veterinary Feed Directive mandate was one step towards a plan to remove all antibiotic use in livestock associated with growth efficiency, feed efficiency or long-term use. Ben Holland of Cactus Feeders encourages producers to become better stewards of antibiotics. Antibiotic usage in beef cattle presents an educational opportunity for beef producers to educate the public on best practices in producing high quality, sustainable beef. There are other treatment options for liver abscesses, however antibiotics are widely considered the most effective and efficient tool ranchers have today.

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