Agricultural News
Dan Thomson Reinforces Stance on Judicious Antibiotic Use, Cites Very Real Threat of Resistance
Tue, 26 Feb 2019 05:58:59 CST
Dr. Dan Thomson is Director of the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, well-know for his work in the areas of animal welfare, cattle herd health management and beef cattle production. In a recent discussion regarding the use of antibiotics in the beef and production ag industry, Thomson maintained that antibiotics are and should remain a valued tool in modern production. However, he also expressed one concern in relation to antibiotic use, that of course being a common fear shared within the industry antibiotic resistance.
"My concern is actually more about the buildup of resistance on the farm," he said. "We've got to understand these are medical tools. They aren't just something like a vaccine. When we use them we create resistance- it's plain and simple. We want to keep them working so that when our animals do get sick, they remain effective."
In order to do that and keep antibiotics viable well into the future, Thomson says producers must practice "judicious use" of antibiotics and furthermore work with their veterinarian to properly manage and prevent disease in herds. As the industry continues to wrap its arms around this concept, Thomson says the "preventative" health measures will be key in any herd health program that practices responsible antibiotic stewardship. Thomson says that while producers must take responsibility upon themselves to sustainably use antibiotics, he says too that the burden is most certainly shared with the manufacturers of these products who he says are taking more proactive roles in properly managing how these products are being used. He says moving forward, the industry will rely heavily to solve any issues that do inevitably arise.
"You're seeing more corporate responsibility, because if we don't manage them, we're just not going to have them," Thomson concluded. "As far as new technologies, I have so much faith in our scientists that we're going to see unbelievable tools developed."
Listen to Thomson address his concerns regarding antibiotic use and the threat of resistance, with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays, on today's Beef Buzz.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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