Research Summary
Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to human and animal health worldwide. The use of antimicrobials in the dairy industry can contribute to the development of resistant pathogens. As Canada Research Chair in Socio-Psychological Epidemiology for Healthy Animals, Dr. Caroline Ritter is assessing and implementing strategies to help dairy farmers and veterinarians in Canada use antimicrobials more carefully.
She and her research team are establishing standard operating procedures for prudent antimicrobial use. They will then work with veterinarians to implement widespread training on and delivery of these recommended practices to dairy farmers. Ritter and her team will also evaluate the intervention’s effectiveness by looking at antimicrobial sales records and assessing attitude shifts among farmers and veterinarians. By taking a phased approach and collaborating with veterinarians and farmers, they aim to increase the likelihood that these best-practice approaches to antimicrobials will be widely adopted.