How Dairy Farms Can Cut Antibiotic Use in Calves

By Blake Jackson

Antibiotic resistance remains a serious issue affecting both human and animal health, prompting increased attention on how antibiotics are used across all sectors. In human medicine, antibiotic stewardship programs have been widely adopted to ensure these drugs are used responsibly and remain effective.

Similar concerns have emerged in animal agriculture, particularly within the dairy industry, where antibiotic use has come under growing scrutiny from consumers, regulators, and producers.

On dairy farms, antibiotics are most commonly used to treat mastitis, but young calves represent another important area of concern.

Research has shown that pre-weaning calves tend to harbor higher levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, compared to older animals, according to Hayley R. Springer, MS, DVM, former associate clinical professor at Pennsylvania State University. While the exact causes are not fully understood, this makes calves a key focus for improving antibiotic stewardship on dairies.

A practical approach to stewardship is reducing the need for antibiotics by improving calf health. One major risk factor is failure of passive transfer (FPT), which occurs when calves do not receive enough high-quality colostrum shortly after birth.

Without adequate antibodies, calves are more vulnerable to disease, leading to higher treatment costs, reduced growth, and increased mortality. Studies estimate that nearly one in five heifer calves in the United States experience FPT, resulting in significant economic losses for dairy operations.

Implementing strong colostrum management protocols ensuring timely feeding of sufficient, high-quality colostrum can dramatically reduce disease risk and the subsequent need for antibiotics. These practices not only support animal welfare but also improve farm profitability.

Veterinarians play a critical role in antimicrobial stewardship by developing clear treatment protocols and guiding antibiotic use through veterinary feed directives. Calf diarrhea provides a strong example of where targeted protocols can be effective.

Diarrhea may be caused by non-bacterial factors, antibiotics are not always necessary. Studies have shown that restricting antibiotic treatment to calves with specific clinical signs, such as fever, can significantly reduce antibiotic use without negatively affecting calf health.

Overall, thoughtful stewardship practices combining prevention, veterinary oversight, and employee training can help dairy producers reduce antibiotic use while maintaining healthy, productive herds and supporting long-term farm sustainability.

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