INVESTIGATING THE EMERGENCE AND ECOLOGY OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN HIGH RISK BEEF CATTLE

These studies proposed will purse the following objectives : 1) Identify a best management practice for metaphylactic antimicrobial use in high-risk cattle, 2) Implement novel science-based intervention strategy to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance(AMR) in the beef cattle industry, 3) Develop systems based approaches to identify AMR reservoirs by evaluating the host-microbiome community dynamics, and 4) Improve understanding among current and future veterinarians and nutritionists of potential food safety risks associated with carriage of AMR by beef cattle and motivate them to advise producers of best practices for antimicrobial stewardship.Therefore, our first long-term goal is to characterize antimicrobial metaphylactic strategies that reduce the spread of AMR throughout the feedlot cattle production system. Our second long-term goal is to provide an alternative to tylosin phosphate to control liver abscesses in feedlot cattle. Combined, these goals will promote more judicious use antimicrobials in the beef cattle industry; thereby, reducing the spread of AMR and AMR reservoirs in bacteria important in the pathogenesis of bovine respiratory disease(BRD) in cattle and food-borne illnesses in humans. This information is critical for sustainability of the beef food supply chain and judicious use of antimicrobials in cattle production. The education and outreach activities proposed in this multidisciplinary project will deliver and evaluate outreach programs that improve the aptitude of veterinarians, nutritionists, producers and consumers to assess and adopt best management practices that mitigate potential risks from AMR. Additionally, this project will build upon an established outreach network that yields improved information transfer to consumers to increase confidence in the safety of beef products. Such information and activities are critical to improve antimicrobial stewardship and ensure a sustainable and safe food supply.