By Scout Nelson
The International Consortium for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture (ICASA) has awarded a $1,223,474 grant to Brad White, director of the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University, for a research project aimed at managing late-stage pulmonary disease in cattle and promoting antimicrobial stewardship.
This research involves collaboration from several universities, including Colorado State and Mississippi State, alongside industry leaders.
Pulmonary diseases, such as bovine respiratory disease and interstitial pneumonia, are significant concerns for the cattle industry. These diseases are not only costly but often require antibiotics, contributing to global antibiotic resistance, a growing public health issue.
“Antibiotic resistance is a major global public health threat,” said Jasmine Bruno, scientific program director at the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research. The research aims to mitigate secondary infections in feedlot cattle, reducing the need for antibiotics.
Bovine respiratory disease costs U.S. ranchers approximately $900 million annually. This research project seeks to better understand and reduce the negative effects of pulmonary diseases, specifically those occurring later in the feeding phase.
By creating standardized criteria for disease identification and prevention, this multidisciplinary team is working to develop strategies to reduce animal losses and improve welfare. Using predictive analytics, the team is assessing high-risk areas and generating economic data to help veterinarians and ranchers make informed decisions.
This comprehensive study will provide essential insights to improve animal health and reduce reliance on antibiotics in the beef industry.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-digitalvision
Categories: Kansas, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle