Assessment of Health Management on U.S. Dairies

摘要

Drug residues in meat or milk are very low, perhaps so low they are not perceived as a problem by many dairy producers anymore. From October 2010 to September 2011 only 0.083% of producer milk samples tested for 8 different individual drugs or drug family had a residue (NMDRD, 2012). For those that choose to use drugs "creatively" there is little motivation from a residue risk perspective to stop. The risk is very low and may be likened to the "boy that cried wolf if we tell producers they shouldn'tengage in inappropriate drug use as it puts their business in jeopardy. This is particularly true when have engaged in "creative drug use" and haven't been caught. A much greater risk of losing consumer confidence in the wholesomeness of dairy products does exist. Unfortunately, for those who choose to use drugs inappropriately, such "greater good" arguments typically fail to have an impact. The best way to promote prudent drug use may be to avoid the residue risk and loss of consumer confidence arguments. Perhaps we can direct the conversation toward more immediate economic and psychic benefits of prudent drug use at the individual farm level through a better understanding of how effectively disease is being managed through direct observation and promotion of accurate and consistent, outcomes-base health records.