Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms (bacteria, virus or fungus) no longer respond to the antibiotic medications used for treatment. As a result, some infections may become difficult or impossible to treat.
Global impacts
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared antimicrobial resistance a global health emergency. Antibiotic resistant infections can severely impact the health of humans, animals and plants, reduce productivity in farms and threaten food security.
The misuse and overuse of antibiotic medications are the main drivers in the development of antimicrobial resistance. All users of antibiotics have a responsibility to use antimicrobial treatments appropriately and support efforts to minimise antimicrobial resistance.
Dairy industry response
Dairy animals carrying resistant bacteria can spread it to other animals, farm workers and the environment. Resistant bacteria can also enter the public food system via food products from dairy animals.
The Australian Dairy Industry Council is committed to mitigating these public health risks by fostering antimicrobial stewardship practices throughout the dairy industry. These practices promote the appropriate and responsible use of antibiotics when managing dairy animal health.
Reviewing on farm antibiotic use
Dairy Australia recommends dairy farmers work with their veterinarians to establish on farm antimicrobial stewardship practices. For example, dairy farmers can limit their usage of high importance rated antibiotics to exceptional circumstances where no other alternative exists.
The following guidelines for Ceftiofur and Virginiamycin are sourced from the Australian Veterinary Association Prescribing Guidelines for Dairy Cattle.
Ceftiofur (e.g. Excenel, Excede, Accent)
- Should only be used if laboratory testing suggests no other antibiotic will be effective.
- Should never be used for mass medication, preventative treatment or for the purposes of a zero-milk withholding period.
Virginiamycin (e.g. Eskalin)
Best practice use of virginiamycin:
- For no more than 28 days,
- no more than once a year,
- when transitioning animals to a high grain diet,
- during periods with a high risk of acidosis.
