Changing farmer and veterinarian behaviour around antimicrobial use

Abstract

Slowing the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires reducing antimicrobial use (AMU), which necessitates altering prescribing practices and reducing use in food-producing species ( O'Neill, 2015 ; World Health Organisation, 2018 ). The literature has suggested for many years that we should try a different approach to changing practices on farm ( Chambers et al, 1985 ) and calls for more farmer-led initiatives compared with traditional, passive knowledge transfer that commonly occurs in the veterinary profession ( Escobar et al, 2013 ; Kristensen and Jakobsen, 2011 ; Vaarst et al, 2017 ). When it comes to complex issues such as reducing AMU, a farmer-led approach is well positioned to help farmers and veterinary surgeons change their practices. We propose a farmer-led approach has a key role to play in changing behaviour and helping to solve complex challenges such as AMR.

Stakeholder Perceptions of Disease Management for Dairy Calves: “It’s Just Little Things That Make Such a Big Difference”

“…Whilst it is important for research to consider the practices and facilities which can promote good calf health-and there has been much research in this area [4,59,60]-the individuals responsible for providing calf care must not be overlooked [45,61,62]. Farmer-led participatory approaches, where farmers are facilitated to learn best practice from peers, can motivate and empower them to make changes and regain control [63,64], suggesting that these approaches could be beneficial in achieving the continuous improvement of rearing practices resulting in better calf health and welfare.…”

“…Routine treatment of calf diarrhoea with antibiotics has been shown to have minimal or negative effects and, hence, is not recommended [4] unless calves are systemically ill [18,74]. However, antibiotics were previously recommended as standard treatment and used indiscriminately [75], and challenging these established, habitual practices is difficult [63]. Improving protocols around vaccinations and antibiotic treatments in calves is an essential part of antimicrobial stewardship, but it is necessary to consider farmer opinions and mindset, as well as technical issues [61], and the approach of the veterinarian can influence behaviour change in farmers [76].…”

“…For example, some, such as calf rearers, might prioritise calf-based observations which allow for immediate, specific actions as part of day-to-day management [43,44]; others, such as advisors and farm managers, might seek details which offer broader, long-term insights, for example, to aid farm health planning or business decisions [52,86]. To navigate these different priorities relating to calf rearing and, more specifically, disease management in calves, facilitation could be a useful tool as it can help actors to navigate difficult, multifactorial issues [63], and investing in trained facilitators can aid decision making and guide farm actors through a process of change leading to continuous improvement [63,90].…”

A survey of antimicrobial use practices of Tennessee beef producers

“…Educational seminars should be used to identify AMU training needs and raise more awareness about AMR and prudent AMU among beef producers. However, scholars in Europe suggested that providing a sense of ownership of the recommendations for judicious AMU [32] and farmer-led approaches [13] can be useful in causing behavioral change among producers. Exploring appropriate methods for quantifying on-farm AMU in the U.S., may be invaluable since such measures could cause behavioral change towards prudent AMU.…”

“…Helke and others [12] suggested that an emphasis on public education, including agricultural education, is critical for facilitating prudent AMU in animal production. Furthermore, a farmer-led approach [13], the whole-of-society approach to antimicrobial effectiveness [7] and One Health approaches to optimization of AMU [14] have been suggested as measures for prolonging the therapeutic life of available antimicrobial drugs.…”