A participatory, farmer-led approach to changing practices around antimicrobial use on UK farms

Abstract

Farmer-led, participatory approaches are being increasingly employed in agricultural research with promising results. This study aimed to understand how a participatory approach based on the Danish Stable Schools could help to achieve practical, farmer-led changes that reduced reliance on antimicrobials in the UK. Five facilitated Farmer Action Groups comprising 30 dairy farms across South West England met on farm at regular intervals between 2016 -2018 and worked collaboratively within their groups to discuss how to reduce antimicrobial use. Qualitative data from group discussions and individual semi-structured interviews were collected and analysed using thematic analysis to explore how the approach helped farmers address and deal with changes to their on-farm practices.Facilitator-guided reviews of antimicrobial use and benchmarking were carried out on each farm to assess any change in usage and help farmers review their practices. The pattern of antimicrobial use changed over the 2 years of the study with 21 participating farms reducing their use of highest priority critically important antibiotics (6 farms were not using any of these critical medicines from the outset).Thirty practical action plans were co-developed by the groups with an average implementation rate of 54.3% within a year. All assessed farms implemented 1 recommendation, and many were still ongoing at the end of the study. Farmers particularly valued the peer-to-peer learning during farm walks.Farmers reported how facilitated discussions and action planning as a peer group had empowered them to change practices. Participants identified knowledge gaps during the project, particularly on highest priority critically important antibiotics where they were not getting information from their veterinarians. The study demonstrated that facilitation has a valuable role to play in participatory approaches beyond moderating discussion; facilitators encouraged knowledge mobilization within the groups and were participants in the research as well. Facilitated, farmer-led, participatory approaches that mobilize different forms of knowledge and encourage peer learning are a promising way of helping farmers to adapt and develop responsible practices.ScholarOne support: (434) 964 4100

Limited Phylogenetic Overlap Between Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolated on Dairy Farms and those Causing Bacteriuria in Humans Living in the Same Geographical Region

“…Much attention has been paid to reducing dry cow therapy use on dairy farms, as a way of reducing total ABU. 39–41 We would not suggest a shift away from this approach, because inappropriate use might increase the selection of zoonotic threat of cattle E. coli that are resistant to other antibacterials. Indeed, we have already shown a positive association between cefquinome dry cow therapy use on dairy farms and E. coli carrying CTX-M type β-lactamases, 23 the most common cause of 3GC-R in E. coli isolated from community UTIs in our region.…”

“…These antibacterials can be released in the colostrum and first milk from treated cows. Since this colostrum is usually fed to calves at birth, 39-41 it is plausible that calves receiving colostrum from treated cows are protected from colonisation by FQ-R E. coli due to the dose of antibacterial inadvertently received shortly after birth.…”

Stakeholder Perceptions of Disease Management for Dairy Calves: “It’s Just Little Things That Make Such a Big Difference”

“…Whilst it is important for research to consider the practices and facilities which can promote good calf health-and there has been much research in this area [4,59,60]-the individuals responsible for providing calf care must not be overlooked [45,61,62]. Farmer-led participatory approaches, where farmers are facilitated to learn best practice from peers, can motivate and empower them to make changes and regain control [63,64], suggesting that these approaches could be beneficial in achieving the continuous improvement of rearing practices resulting in better calf health and welfare.…”

“…It is also possible that the cost of replacing suboptimal calf accommodation need not be as great as some participants perceived; one farmer was able to research, design, and build affordable calf accommodation with a focus on functionality, suggesting that, by clever sourcing of materials, lower-cost housing solutions may be possible in the mainstream. Facilitated farmer-led approaches harness the interests and motivations of farming peers to help others; they have proven effective in developing practical innovations relating to a range of topics [64,83] and could potentially be used to create more cost-effective building solutions for calf housing.…”

Developing targeted antimicrobial treatment protocols for mastitis

“…A participatory group workshop approach, where farmers discuss their mastitis treatments with one another and have their progress benchmarked as a form of ‘social improvement’, could also further help with compliance 21. Such participatory approaches can be pivotal in helping farmers change their practices 24, 25…”