Goat with stethoscope facing antibiotic resistance threat.

Goat Farming Under Scrutiny: Unveiling Antibiotic Use Practices and Risks

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Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Missouri study highlights the urgent need for better veterinary oversight and farmer education to combat antibiotic resistance in goat production."


The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a significant threat to global public health, with livestock farming practices increasingly under the microscope. Overuse of antibiotics in animal production contributes to this crisis, leading to infections that are difficult or impossible to treat. While larger livestock industries like beef, swine, and poultry have faced growing scrutiny, the goat industry has largely flown under the radar, despite its increasing market share.

Recent data paints a concerning picture. According to a 2013 Red Book report, goat meat had the highest percentage of drug residues compared to other types of meat, raising questions about withdrawal times and antibiotic administration practices. Compounding this issue, a study by Landfried et al. revealed a significantly higher amount of antimicrobial residue in goats raised in Missouri compared to national averages.

To address these concerns, a team of researchers investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Missouri goat farmers regarding antibiotic use. Their goal was to understand the factors influencing antibiotic administration, the role of veterinarians, and farmers' perceptions of antibiotic resistance. By exploring these aspects, the study aims to identify potential interventions to promote responsible antibiotic use and safeguard public health.

Behind the Barn Door: How Missouri Goat Farmers Approach Antibiotics

Goat with stethoscope facing antibiotic resistance threat.

The study, employing the Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior (KAB) model, involved interviews with 11 Missouri goat farmers. The interviews delved into various aspects of their farming practices, including:

Key findings from the interviews revealed several concerning trends:

  • Limited Protocols: Most farmers lacked specific protocols for managing illnesses, relying on veterinarians only for major health issues.
  • Veterinarian Knowledge Gap: Many farmers felt veterinarians lacked sufficient knowledge about goat medicine, turning instead to other farmers or their own experiences for treatment advice.
  • Antibiotic Awareness, Limited Action: While most farmers acknowledged antibiotic resistance as a concern, only a minority consistently used antibiotics only when prescribed by a veterinarian.
  • Easy Access Concerns: Farmers indicated that antibiotics are easily accessible at feed stores, potentially leading to overuse without veterinary oversight.
These findings highlight a disconnect between farmers' awareness of antibiotic resistance and their actual practices. The perceived lack of veterinary expertise in goat medicine, coupled with easy access to antibiotics, creates a dangerous environment for the development and spread of resistant bacteria.

Stemming the Tide: Recommendations for Responsible Antibiotic Use

The study underscores the urgent need for a multi-pronged approach to promote responsible antibiotic use in goat farming. Key recommendations include:

<ul><li><b>Enhanced Veterinary Education:</b> Veterinary schools should place greater emphasis on goat health management, equipping future veterinarians with the knowledge and skills to effectively treat goats and advise farmers.</li><li><b>Improved Farmer-Veterinarian Relationships:</b> Building trust and collaboration between farmers and veterinarians is crucial. This includes promoting preventative health measures and encouraging farmers to seek veterinary guidance for diagnosis and treatment decisions.</li><li><b>Restricting Over-the-Counter Access:</b> Antibiotics should not be readily available for purchase without a prescription. This would ensure veterinary oversight and prevent inappropriate use.</li></ul>

By implementing these measures, the goat farming industry can take significant steps towards reducing antibiotic use, slowing the spread of antibiotic resistance, and protecting public health. Further research is needed to explore the perspectives of veterinarians and to evaluate the effectiveness of different intervention strategies.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3390/ani8110198, Alternate LINK

Title: Antibiotic Use On Goat Farms: An Investigation Of Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors Of Missouri Goat Farmers

Subject: General Veterinary

Journal: Animals

Publisher: MDPI AG

Authors: Lauren K. Landfried, Ellen K. Barnidge, Patrick Pithua, Roger D. Lewis, Jonathan A. Jacoby, Christopher C. King, Carole R. Baskin

Published: 2018-11-06

Everything You Need To Know

1

What evidence suggests a problem with antibiotic use in goat farming?

A 2013 Red Book report revealed that goat meat had the highest percentage of drug residues compared to other meats. This highlights potential issues with withdrawal times and administration practices. The study by Landfried et al. further supports this by showing a higher amount of antimicrobial residue in goats raised in Missouri when compared to national averages, indicating a potential problem with antibiotic use in goat farming.

2

What methodology was used to investigate antibiotic practices among goat farmers?

The study employed the Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior (KAB) model. The KAB model helped researchers delve into the practices of Missouri goat farmers, including their knowledge of antibiotic use, their attitudes towards antibiotic resistance, and their actual behaviors regarding antibiotic administration. This approach allowed researchers to identify the factors influencing antibiotic use and to propose targeted interventions.

3

What are the concerning trends identified in the practices of Missouri goat farmers?

The study's findings reveal a concerning disconnect. While many Missouri goat farmers acknowledge antibiotic resistance, only a small number consistently use antibiotics strictly when prescribed by a veterinarian. The lack of specific protocols for managing illnesses, the perceived lack of veterinarian expertise in goat medicine, and easy access to antibiotics contribute to this problem. This situation creates an environment where resistant bacteria can develop and spread, endangering public health.

4

What are the key recommendations for promoting responsible antibiotic use?

Key recommendations arising from the study underscore a multi-pronged approach. This includes the need for better veterinary oversight to provide informed guidance on antibiotic use. Farmer education is crucial to raise awareness about antibiotic resistance and promote responsible practices. Additionally, the study implies the importance of addressing the easy access to antibiotics at feed stores, potentially through stricter regulations or educational campaigns.

5

What is the role of veterinarians in addressing antibiotic use practices?

Veterinarians play a crucial role, but the study suggests a knowledge gap in goat medicine among some. Many farmers feel that veterinarians lack sufficient expertise in this area, which leads them to seek advice from other farmers or rely on their own experiences. To improve this, the study implies a need for veterinarians to enhance their knowledge of goat health and antibiotic use, thereby ensuring better guidance and prescription practices. The study suggests that by increasing veterinary expertise, safer practices will occur.

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