Dairy farmers' perspectives on antibiotic use: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Agricultural Science
• Sociology of Agriculture

Background:

• Reducing antibiotic use in animal husbandry is crucial for limiting antibiotic resistance.
• Existing research often focuses on individual farmer behavior, overlooking contextual influences.
• Farmer practices are shaped by veterinary advice, peer pressure, regulations, and animal interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the factors influencing antibiotic use in Swedish dairy farms.
• To explore the interplay between farmer agency and structural constraints.
• To understand how the concept of the "good farmer" relates to antibiotic use.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 7 Swedish dairy farms.
• Analysis of farmer practices, reasoning, and contextual influences.
• Application of behavior as socially constructed theory and the "good farmer" concept.

Main Results:

• Farmers maintain close animal contact and value veterinarian advice.
• Economic and labor constraints, not lack of knowledge, hinder adherence to recommendations.
• Farmers feel disadvantaged by international trade and differing national regulations.
• Automatic milking systems aid health monitoring without compromising animal contact.

Conclusions:

• Structural limitations, including economic and labor factors, are primary constraints to reducing antibiotic use in Swedish animal farming.
• Stricter and more uniform global regulations on antibiotic use in animal agriculture are recommended.
• Addressing systemic issues is more effective than solely focusing on individual farmer education.