ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP

In 2021, NMPF and FARM again worked with the FARM Antibiotic Stewardship Task Force comprised of animal scientists, veterinarians, and animal health professionals to draft and release the latest edition of the FARM Drug Residue and Prevention Manual. This resource is the primary educational tool for dairy farmers on the judicious and responsible use of antibiotics, including avoiding drug residues in milk and meat.

To make the judicious and responsible use of antibiotics in dairy cattle even more accessible, the FARM Program also released the Drug Residue and Prevention Pocket Guide. It provides farmers and evaluators with a quick, easy reference to the updated list of approved drugs, screening tests, and withdrawal times under the FARM Program.

Tanker Truck Residue Violations

Only 1 out of 12,050 milk tankers tested positive for antibiotic residues last year, according to the 2021 National Milk Drug Residue Database. This data illustrates the continued longterm national pattern of industry improvements in milk quality practices. The full report is available from the National Milk Drug Residue Database (NMDRD).