Primary Audience

Canadian Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System 

What is it? The Canadian Government created the Canadian Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System, or CARSS, in response to the growing global concern about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) [1]. The first CARSS report was issued in March 2015.   CARSS monitors antimicrobial use (AMU) and AMR in Canada by integrating data from various surveillance systems, including CIPARS [1]. […]

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Antimicrobial Drug Disposal

What is it? The safe disposal of unused or expired antibiotics is an essential component of antibiotic resistance management. Improper disposal can cause traces of pharmaceutical drugs in the environment, including both the soil and water [1]. The trace concentrations can build up over time and have adverse effects on human, animal, and environmental health.  

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Composting

What is it? Composting is the process of recycling organic matter into a usable product that can return nutrients to the environment.   The composting process involves microorganisms breaking down the material and consuming oxygen, which creates water vapour, carbon dioxide, and heat [1]. This heat, which can cause the compost to reach temperatures of over

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Auto-Dosing Gun

What is it? An Auto-Dosing Gun, also referred to as a Smart Dosing Gun, is a tool used to administer veterinary medicines to livestock. Administration methods such as injection, oral drenching, or pour-on may be used with different attachments to the device. The aim of the device is to deliver accurate and consistent doses.   To

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Phage Therapy

What is it? The Bacteriophage. Video produced by Kurzgesagt – In a nutshell and created with scientific advice and editing by James Gurney. Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that infect bacteria [1]. Phages are smaller and more abundant than bacteria and can be found all around the globe.   Similar to viruses, phages are species-specific and

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Gut Health

What is it? Gut health refers to the health of one’s digestive system, as well as the ability to properly digest food, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste.  Cattle are ruminants and have a four-chambered stomach [1]:  Rumen: contains a large community of microbes that help aid in digestion and fermentation processes,  Reticulum: this is where

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Oregano

What is it? Oregano is a herb, and its oils have broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties [1], [2]. These properties can be attributed to the carvacrol found within oregano, which also has uses in the food and cosmetic industries. Supplementing feed with oregano has been shown to improve growth performance and feed efficiency, and

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Nutrient Intake

What is it? Like all animals, cattle require a proper balance of macronutrients (i.e., protein, carbohydrates, and fats), as well as micronutrients including vitamins and minerals.  Nutritionists are often involved in the feed management of an operation, to ensure the proper nutrients are supplemented with the feed. This supplementation will be different at every farm

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Colostrum Intake

What is it? Colostrum is the first milk provided by the dam (mother cow). It contains special antibodies which help the calves develop a strong immune system, along with proteins and fats to provide the calves with energy and nutrients.   Unlike other mammals, calves do not receive antibodies from the cow’s placenta during pregnancy, and

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Transport Considerations

What is it? Nearly all beef cattle will be transported at some point in their lives, whether it be to an auction mart, a new farm, or the abattoir. As transport is an important part of the livestock industry, the welfare of cattle during transportation is a highly regulated process and certain considerations must be

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