We use data from a recent national survey to analyze the use of sub‐therapeutic antibiotics (STAs) among broiler growers. We estimate that 42% of growers do not use STAs in their feed or water, and instead rely on a set of other practices, including pathogen testing, expanded sanitary protocols, altered feeding regimens, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point HACCP plans to maintain production. Suspending STAs has no statistically significant impact on production given other inputs, but producers who forego STAs receive higher contract fees, suggesting that they bear higher costs to realize a given level of output.

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