Also this month:

* Erratic Weather Keeps Farmers Guessing

* Census of Agriculture Important, Says an NC A&T Specialist

* Organic Standards Impact Small-Scale Farmers

* NC A&T School of Ag Honored with Winn-Dixie Award

* McAlpin Receives Doctorate

Other News Links:

Press Release Archive

Cooperative Extension Press Releases

Agricultural Research Press Releases

General Links:

NC A&T School of Agriculture

Agricultural Communications

Mitch Arnold, news editor

"The practice of using low levels of antibiotics for growth promotion is almost non-existent for cattle and very limited for swine," said Zimbelman. "There's a little bit more in the poultry industry, but everything is so tightly regulated that what use exists is at a safe and practical level."

Despite declining use, public concern continues to be directed at antibiotic use in livestock. Many critics cite the possibility that antibiotic use in livestock could result in the creation of bacteria strains which infect humans and which are immune to treatment with available antibiotics.

Animal scientists, though, point out that a resistant bacteria strain has never been conclusively traced to antibiotic use in livestock.

"We know much more about medication now than we did in the late 1940s, when it became common in animal husbandry," said Dr. David Libby, associate professor of animal nutrition in the North Carolina A&T State University Department of Animal Science. "Like any scientific field, animal science has been enhanced by the improved technology resulting from research."

Libby indicates that careful dosing by animal caretakers and tight regulations for administering medication have resulted in healthier animals and a safe, productive food supply for the nation.

"Animal caretakers don't want to use any more medication than they have to," said Libby, citing the medication costs incurred by farmers and ranchers. "Because they want to make the animal healthy and thus comfortable, while controlling their overhead costs, most people give their animals a minimum of antibiotics, with the understanding that the animal's natural immune system will take over."

According to Libby, antibiotics are typically administered in one of two ways: therapeutically to ailing animals and prophylactically to an entire group of animals, if necessary to prevent infection and disease.

When antibiotics are used, they are rotated so that animals don't build resistance to a particular variety. Libby also points out that seldom are the same antibiotics used in humans and livestock, making almost intangible the possibility that antibiotics will become ineffective for humans who consume animals treated with antibiotics.

In addition, the animal industry also regulates itself by tightly controlling distribution of antibiotics, requiring specific periods of withdrawal before an animal is taken to market, and testing animal products for traces of medication.

"It's the responsibility of the animal caretaker to keep their animals healthy," said Libby. "The animal industry and society in general expect people to protect livestock from disease and to help ailing animals recover. That's the main reason antibiotics are used."

For more information, please contact Dr. David Libby, NC A&T Department of Animal Science, (336) 334-7615.