Data Management - Antimicrobial Resistance Opportunity Mapping

What is it?

Data management software can be utilized by producers to capture, upload, and exchange information about individual cattle. The software aids in information flow between different operations and processing plants. Different data management platforms can also offer elements, such as:

Age verification
Calving records
Nutrition and growth
Antimicrobial use
Health protocols and treatments
Reproduction and genetics
Carcass data
Record management

Data is inputted into the data management software, linking any records to the cattle’s RFID tag. Data management programs are often used at the feedlot phase of production, but detailed information about the animal before and after the feedlot stage is not always easily traceable.

Challenges

Data management programs are an added expense.
Data collection is time consuming.
Software programs (as an alternative to pen and paper data collection) require infrastructure such as computers, mobile devices, and internet/cellular data coverage.
Data is not commonly shared between cattle owners at different phases of production.
Feedlots often use their own proprietary data management systems, which prohibits data sharing outside of their facilities.
Producers are protective of their data privacy.
Data security and ownership of data are concerns with using third-party data management programs.

How Does it Prevent AMR?

Vaccination, health and treatment history are often unknown when cattle ownership changes, which often leads to prophylactic (preventative) antimicrobial treatments when cattle arrive at feedlots. By capturing and tracking data throughout an animal’s life, the animal’s performance (weight gain, disease resilience, meat quality, etc.) can be traced through the entire value chain. This would help validate management practices and could help financially reward producers for implementing more cost-intensive processes, such as preconditioning, if these are proven to produce a higher quality or lower risk product.