(Gloria Solano-Aguilar photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.K. review calls for urgent cuts to antibiotic use in livestock

London | Reuters –– Massive use of antibiotics in farming poses a critical threat to global public health and should be reduced dramatically to an internationally-agreed target, according to a British government-commissioned review. Agreeing and implementing a global target for agricultural antibiotic use won’t be easy, the review, led by former Goldman Sachs chief economist […] Read more

Good looking woman pouring liquid in a tube

The AMR dilemma: Part 1

Searching for ways to move forward on antimicrobial resistance

No issue in the past 15 years logged more space in agriculture, veterinary or public health-related press than antimicrobial resistance (AMR). No single topic appears more often on conference and seminar agendas than the one addressing prudent use and abuse of antimicrobials in humans and animals. Despite the attention AMR has received, we have not […] Read more


The potential of probiotics to promote greater livestock health

The potential of probiotics to promote greater livestock health

Unlike antibiotics – which kill bacteria – probiotics are live cultures of beneficial bacteria

Last year Health Canada changed its regulations on antibiotics to prevent them being used as growth promoters in livestock. Drug makers like Bayer, Merck, and Novartis had already begun the change, removing labels on their products that advertised them as suitable for non-medicinal purposes. Antibiotics are still available to Canadian ranchers and feedlot operators but […] Read more




cattle in a feedlot

Sask. looking for beef research ‘centre of excellence’

News Roundup: National Beef Strategy sets targets for industry, and scientists track superbug genes to understand antibiotic resistance

Research Research shakeup proposed for Saskatchewan If Saskatchewan is going to meet its target of raising livestock receipts by 25 per cent it needs everyone pulling in the same direction. As a first step the steering committee set up by the province last April is recommending the creation of a centre of excellence to co-ordinate […] Read more



Dr. Leigh Rosengren

Talk, tweet and shout about antibiotics for food animals

We've sat back long enough

We’ve sat back long enough

Sickness happens. When animals get sick they need treatment every bit as much as people. Retaining access to effective antibiotics for food animals is important for animal welfare and food safety because raising healthy animals means healthful, safe food. This is an important message consumers need to hear from producers in the discussion on antibiotic […] Read more


Out of control

WHO report declares antimicrobial resistance 'a global security threat'

In May the World Health Organization (WHO) issued its global report on antibiotic resistance stating that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) “is now a global security threat.” And although the report acknowledges a more disciplined approach to the use of human antibiotic therapy it had a strong message for the food animal industry as well. The situation […] Read more