Antibiotics are a powerful tool against bacterial disease, but widespread use in people and animals has led some bacteria to evolve into drug‑resistant strains. Each year in the United States, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial‑resistant infections occur.
OSU Extension’s work helps Oregon livestock producers adapt to evolving regulations while protecting animal health, public safety and the long-term sustainability of the state’s agricultural economy.
To address this public health threat, a 2017 federal rule placed significant limits on antibiotic use in animal agriculture. The rule, which remains in effect, requires veterinary oversight for feed‑grade antibiotics considered medically important to human health and prohibits their use for growth promotion. In 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration clarified implementation guidelines while maintaining the rule’s core requirements .
“This rule fundamentally changed how feed‑grade antibiotics are labeled and used in livestock operations,” said Sergio Arispe, associate professor and Extension livestock and rangeland specialist in Malheur County. He is the lead author of The Veterinary Feed Directive: Questions and Answers for Oregon Livestock Producers, a free publication from Oregon State University Extension Service.
The guide explains the rule and assists livestock producers in complying with drug‑use and record‑keeping requirements. Most importantly, Arispe said, it helps them build an effective, ongoing working relationship with a veterinarian.
“That’s the biggest change of this rule: it spells out what a working veterinarian‑client‑patient relationship looks like,” Arispe said. “This is something we’ve always encouraged in our livestock producers — the importance of making your veterinarian part of your management team.”
In Oregon, cattle and calves generated nearly $985 million in cash receipts in 2023, maintaining their position as the state’s second‑highest‑value agricultural commodity.
OSU Extension’s work helps Oregon livestock producers adapt to evolving regulations while protecting animal health, public safety and the long-term sustainability of the state’s agricultural economy.
