Each week, on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. Mountain Time, people from across the farming and ranching community gather for a Twitter chat to discuss what is going on in the world of agriculture. A new topic is the center of discussion each week and ranges from cropping systems to livestock news headlines. A moderator posts the questions and everyone responds to that question and engages with other users’ tweets in the allotted time for each question. Learn more about how to participate and join #AgChat the next time opportunity arises!

On September 8, I was invited to provide input on a special livestock #agchat discussing Antibiotics Use and Resistance in Livestock. I’ve written about antibiotics use in livestock several times based on my experience and was excited to join this chat. Especially considering the rise in conversations surrounding recent news reports.

Below is an excerpt from the night’s conversation with each question, followed by a few of my responses. Be sure to check out the links provided for more context, click the ‘Tweet’ to view on Twitter (be sure to Favorite and RT!). You can click on each question to pull up more tweets from that portion of the conversation. Thanks to Truffle Media for archiving this conversation!

Let me know if you have any additional thoughts or questions by the topics discussed below. Leave your remarks in the comments section at the end of this post or send me a Tweet, @AgProudRyan!

Q1 – What do you think ‘antibiotic free’ means to consumers? (whether you believe it is true or not)

‘No Antibiotics’ by USDA means, “animals were raised without antibiotics” Consumer perceptions close? http://t.co/KF9T7r29ZM – Tweet

RT @drtleedvm: I think antibiotic free means different things to different consumers, depending on their level of #ageducation – Tweet

Exactly. Labeling and marketing terms often bring confusion. https://t.co/5eUEVajMNo – Tweet

Confusion around ‘antibiotic free’ marketing has led many to question verification of term. – Tweet

Do many understand the role of FDA in antibiotics control, verification and use in livestock? #thinkingoutloud – Tweet

Q2 – Farmers: Why do you/why don’t you use #antibiotics on your farming operation?

#Antibiotics used in feedlot cattle for prevention and treatment of disease. Explanation of uses –> http://t.co/owUUee1kv4 – Tweet

RT @1thomas_titus: When an animal is sick, it is suffering and we do everything we can to keep them healthy, sometimes that means using a # abx – Tweet

abx – Tweet @FarmerBright put together this fun video showing #antibiotics use on his #dairy http://t.co/UUZisoukXb – Tweet

RT @DKeithRoach: ____ free implies other unlabeled products are ____ filled. https://t.co/J5UmpmDYZq – Tweet

Here’s a great #podcast convo I had with a vet from @Elanco about #antibiotics use http://t.co/0wUUhiXhPF – Tweet

#antibiotics an important tool in raising livestock. ID illness early, treat it, reduce losses from sickness, don’t waste $$ – Tweet

I’ve seen more precise use of #antibiotics in feedlots than I have on some farms/ranches https://t.co/Ug22bLyvbt – Tweet

Q3 – What #antibiotic metrics matter most? Judicious use? Reduction? Something else?

RT @DairyCarrie: On our farm we make sure we use the right drug for the bug. Meaning we make sure any RX used will take care of the problem – Tweet

Proper use, correct dose of appropriate #antibiotics reduces overall use. Don’t use them as a management crutch – Tweet

An example of judicious use of#antibiotics for beef cattle farmers and ranchers via #BQA http://t.co/UjsFVu5hAG – Tweet

Q4 – Consumers: Why should farmers care what people think about antibiotic use on the farm?

Many have misinterpreted our use of#antibiotics and info being shared negatively impacts our biz https://t.co/JR37j5YvEU – Tweet

General public (whether informed or not) makes policy decisions in elections. Make sure we provide access to correct info – Tweet

Because this is the type of #fear message general public is receiving in absence of agriculture’s input. http://t.co/TiXZXPttUQ – Tweet

RT @Crookedlakecows: consumers are our end-user in animal Ag. We need to consider their thoughts but also show them what we are doing is safe – Tweet

Because people like Food Babe are making money off trashing your image with fear. http://t.co/BB87tGjNBE – Tweet

Q5 – What are the potential effects (positive & negative) of reducing #antibiotics in animal agriculture?

There is always room for improvement in our use of #antibiotics. Never deny ability to improve. http://t.co/GSVityPrX6 – Tweet

#Antibiotics are just one of our tools. Positive effect may be better use of other tools in our belt. http://t.co/cc7BvvCnis – Tweet

Example of how elimination may do more harm than good. https://t.co/M60SmXS2d5 – Tweet

Reduction of #antibiotics use in livestock should be met with similar action in human medicine. – Tweet

If #antibiotics use was reduced, we would find better tools through Intensification Innovation Integration http://t.co/hhfGnPAZyB – Tweet

RT TruffleMedia: http://t.co/WhtgemLp6n – Tweet This was interesting view on #antibiotic resistance for humans via @TEDTalks

Q6 – What can be done to strengthen veterinarians’ & producers’ relationships related to #antibiotic use?

@Elanco veterinarian answered this exact question for me in this #podcast http://t.co/kp4ul28mYl – Tweet

Clue in your veterinarian on normal management practices, consult them on a number of health and nutrition questions! – Tweet hodgenstein: back to earlier point of some larger operations & feedyards having better relationship with vets & thus treatment strategies – Tweet Yes! Larger operations benefit from hiring consultants in different management areas, not just vet. – Tweet

Find out your vet’s favorite whisky? #jk – Tweet

Bookmark this video – Great panels on prevention, wellness and #antibiotics from human perspective! http://t.co/hDCSAeyvRP – Tweet

Julesybean: Vets can provide more than just medicine. They r in tune w/integrated prod. methods to help a farm business. – Tweet Well trained large-animal vets definitely are, just hard to find. – Tweet



Q7 – There are #antibiotics used in animal feed to improve feed efficiency. What will happen when it stops?

“70% of all healthcare costs can be attributed to lifestyle choices” Human medicine stat vis CDC can be applied to livestock management. – Tweet

I struggle with the fact that these are classified as antibiotics. Still studying to do. – Tweet

For those asking, here’s a look at #antibiotics use in cattle feedlots – How / Why http://t.co/10aUZjm7B2 – Tweet

FYI – Phasing out now. Label for use of #antibiotics for growth efficiency must be removed by end of 2016. – Tweet

Here’s a @Feedstuffs @Elanco resource on Veterinary Feed Directives impacting this http://t.co/hRwbajodms – Tweet

Q8 – What antibiotic resistance issues are veterinarians seeing in animal health?

NIAA had good info on antibiotic resistance during a symposium last year. Topics http://t.co/4sqG2oKf5h – Tweet

@agchat interesting. So are we not seeing much abx resistance in livestock? Or is it not identified, communicated by vets/labs? – Tweet

Q9 – There is lots of science around #antibiotic use. There is also lots of noise. What are resources to help consumers & farmers?

Veterinarians working with drug makers are educated and willing to share info. All you have to do is ask. – Tweet

RT @NIAA_Comm: Check out our white papers from past ABX Symposiums! TONS of great content in these http://t.co/HXJXkFWDjF – Tweet

RT VinoThorsen: Tweet Good resource and news on all things ABX in agriculture here: http://t.co/KysZdIDeU4

RT emetzer: The FARM Program has its Milk and Dairy Beef Drug Residue Prevention Manual avail here: http://t.co/NpYgP2epCO. Check it out! – Tweet

Q10 – What data sources can researchers use to estimate #antibiotic use in agriculture, if any?

Drug companies can provide insight on sales, though doesn’t precisely reflect use. – Tweet

RT emetzer: Yikes, hard question. I know what is NOT an accurate data figure: sales data. Doesn’t accurately represent judicious use. – Tweet

RT AskDrDorman: Tweet Check out the Animal Health Institute’s FAQ http://t.co/P6EjOzzhfZ

Q11 – What is the one thing you will do, based on this #antibiotic #AgChat? Take aways?

I think Q5 and Q8 provoke thought and need more exploration. – Tweet

We still have some abx education to do within our own communities. – Tweet

RT @AskDrDorman: More important than “educating” the consumer, let’s just listen to food concerns & answer questions openly & honestly – Tweet

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