Texas Tech University System

Awards Issued Prior to January 20, 2025, Were Funded Under Previous Administrations and May Not Reflect the Priorities and Policies of the Current Administration. the Emergence of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Has Increased the Pressure to Find Alternative Means to Eliminate or Reduce the Use of Medically-important Antimicrobials, Particularly in the Agricultural Industry. Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex Is One of the Costliest Issues Associated With Feedlot Cattle and Is Frequently Combatted Though Metaphylactic Administration of Antimicrobials Upon Feedlot Arrival. Therefore, Research Is Needed to Determine the Emergence, Ecology, and Microbiome of Amr and Develop Science-based Strategies to Reduce the Incidence of Amr Throughout the Beef Production Continuum. These Studies Will Purse the Following Objectives 1) Identify a Best Management Practice for Metaphylactic Antimicrobial Use in High-risk Cattle, 2) Implement Novel Science-based Intervention Strategy to Reduce the Spread of Amr in the Beef Cattle Industry, 3) Develop Systems Based Approaches to Identify Amr Reservoirs by Evaluating the Host-microbiome Community Dynamics, and 4) Improve Understanding Among Current and Future Veterinarians and Nutritionists of Potential Food Safety Risks Associated With Carriage of Amr by Beef Cattle and Motivate Them to Advise Producers of Best Practices for Antimicrobial Stewardship. Completion of This Research Will Identify Critical Control Points for Controlling the Development of Amr and Provide Usable Science-based Approaches to Mitigate Amr in Beef Production. This Information Is Critical for Sustainability in the Beef Food Supply and Judicious Use of Antimicrobials in Cattle Production.