Antimicrobial Stewardship in Feedlots (Short Course)

Antimicrobial Stewardship Series

Antimicrobial stewardship describes practices and protocols designed to reduce the need for antimicrobial use and to ensure that when antimicrobials are required they’re utilised in a way that maximises efficacy while minimising adverse effects – including the development of antimicrobial resistance.

In Australian feedlots, antimicrobials play an indispensable role in helping us manage the health and welfare of cattle under our care. Antimicrobial resistance has become a concern of both medical and livestock policymakers, medical professionals, veterinarians, producers, and the general community.

It occurs when the bacteria causing people or livestock to be ill become resistant to antimicrobial treatment. This can be caused by overuse or inappropriate use of antimicrobials. Concerns about reduced antimicrobial effectiveness, coupled with fewer new antimicrobial technologies being discovered, means we must preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials currently available.

The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association is dedicated to preserving the effectiveness of antimicrobials, and to protecting human and animal health, by promoting responsible antimicrobial use.

The Australian beef industry has a great reputation to uphold; previous surveillance has reported levels of antimicrobial resistance in Australian cattle that are either absent or very low. The Antimicrobial stewardship Guidelines provide a continuous improvement framework that will help lot feeders understand and ensure appropriate use of antimicrobials and therefore reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

These guidelines are aligned with Australia’s First National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy (Australian Government 2015).

The guidelines outline five stewardship principles which are collectively termed the ‘5Rs’ - responsibility, review, reduce, refine and replace.

These principles will help guide lot feeders toward best practice management use of antimicrobials and prevent overuse, which may contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance.

Disclaimer & Copyright

This E-learning series has been by funded grain-fed levies and matching federal government R&D contributions in consultation with the Australian Lot Feeders' Association.

Care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this training course. However, MLA does not accept responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information or opinions contained in this training course. This training course is intended to provide general information only and it has been prepared without taking into account your specific circumstances, objectives, or needs. You should make your own enquiries before making decisions concerning your interests. Your use of, or reliance on, any content is entirely at your own risk and MLA accepts no liability for any losses or damages incurred by you as a result of that use or reliance.

© 2019 Meat & Livestock Australia Limited ABN 39 081 678 364.

You may not copy, republish, download, transmit, communicate, or otherwise use this content in any way without the prior written consent of Meat & Livestock Australia Limited ABN 39 081 678 364. Any such enquiries should be directed to info@mla.com.au, or the Content Manager, PO Box 1961, North Sydney, NSW 2059.