Effective Livestock Production with Low Use of Antibiotics

Understand disease prevention and antibiotic use in livestock production

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing problem worldwide and is a threat to the health of animals and humans. Also, for food security and nutrition, the economy for farmers and the environment and climate, we need an efficient livestock production, which in turn requires healthy animals. In many countries, this has led to an extensive and often inappropriate use of antibiotics, which may contribute to increasing antibiotic resistance.

In this course, you will learn how basic disease preventive measures in combination with low and medically rational use of antibiotics can sustain or even increase livestock producivity and limit the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

This course is for livestock keepers and professionals working in the livestock production sector (such as veterinarians and advisors) in low-income countries and emerging economies worldwide. The course might also be of interest for agricultural authorities in those countries.

This course is for livestock keepers and professionals working in the livestock production sector (such as veterinarians and advisors) in low-income countries and emerging economies worldwide. The course might also be of interest for agricultural authorities in those countries.

• Explain what antibiotics are and why antibiotic resistance develops on a basic level, and how antibiotic resistance affects animals and humans.
• Demonstrate understanding of the basics of infectious disease prevention.
• Identify simple measures that can be implemented on your farm, to reduce the need of antibiotics while sustaining (or increasing) livestock production.
• Explain when it is appropriate to use antibiotics and how to use them.
• Summarise how one can combine disease preventive measures and prudent use of antibiotics for productive and healthy animals on your farm.
• Reflect on what you and (other) livestock producers around the world think about the subject, and what differences and similarities there are.