Metrics for quantifying antimicrobial use in beef feedlots |
| |
| Authors: | Katharine M Benedict Sheryl P Gow Richard J Reid-Smith Calvin W Booker Paul S Morley |
| |
| Institution: | Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1654, USA (Benedict, Morley); Laboratory of Foodborne Zoonoses, Public Health Agency of Canada, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada (Gow); Laboratory of Foodborne Zoonoses, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario N1G 5B2, Canada (Reid-Smith); Feedlot Health Management Services, Okotoks, Alberta T1S 2A2, Canada (Booker) |
| |
| Abstract: | Accurate antimicrobial drug use data are needed to enlighten discussions regarding the impact of antimicrobial drug use in agriculture. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the perceived accuracy and clarity of different methods for reporting antimicrobial drug use information collected regarding beef feedlots. Producers, veterinarians, industry representatives, public health officials, and other knowledgeable beef industry leaders were invited to complete a web-based survey. A total of 156 participants in 33 US states, 4 Canadian provinces, and 8 other countries completed the survey. No single metric was considered universally optimal for all use circumstances or for all audiences. To effectively communicate antimicrobial drug use data, evaluation of the target audience is critical to presenting the information. Metrics that are most accurate need to be carefully and repeatedly explained to the audience. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
