Antimicrobial Use in the Ontario Beef Industry

This research aims to develop and promote an on-farm antimicrobial use surveillance system which can be used to complement future quality assurance programs in the Ontario beef industry. The specific objectives are to build a sustainable, producer-oriented recording system, to provide preliminary data on the use of antimicrobials in the Ontario beef industry, and to provide an initial provincial-level model for potential national adoption.

There will be three main components to the research. First, a general survey will be sent out to members of the Ontario Cattlemen's Association requesting information on basic farm management and antimicrobial usage for both cow-calf and feedlot sectors. Second, approximately fifteen cow-calf operations, and fifteen feedlot operations will be selected to participate in an in-depth survey administered on-farm. Third, a survey of bovine veterinarians will be conducted to better understand their perspectives on prescribing and dispensing of antimicrobials. The overall results of this research will provide a preliminary benchmark of antimicrobial use in the Ontario beef industry.