Progress Across Farming Systems

Empowering
Innovative
Solutions

Across the global farming sector, meaningful progress is being made toward more responsible antibiotic use, demonstrating that change is both possible and practical. Over the past decade, growing awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has encouraged farmers, veterinarians, policymakers, and food-chain stakeholders to rethink how antibiotics are used in animal agriculture. This shift is increasingly visible across multiple farming systems, including poultry, dairy, beef, and pig production, where improved management practices and stronger regulations are beginning to reduce reliance on routine antibiotic use while maintaining animal health and productivity.

Moving Away From Routine and Preventive Use

One of the most important signs of progress across farming systems is the gradual reduction of routine antibiotic use in healthy animals. Practices such as using antibiotics for growth promotion or blanket disease prevention are increasingly being restricted or eliminated, particularly in high-income regions. In response, farmers are strengthening preventive health measures, including improved hygiene, better housing and ventilation, enhanced nutrition, and comprehensive vaccination programs.

A Global Shift Toward Responsible Antibiotic Use

Across the global farming sector, a clear shift is underway toward more responsible and targeted use of antibiotics in animal production. Growing scientific evidence linking excessive farm antibiotic use to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has driven coordinated action from farmers, veterinarians, governments, and international organizations. This shift reflects a broader understanding that protecting antibiotic effectiveness is not only a public health priority, but also essential for the long-term sustainability of farming systems worldwide.

Improved Animal Health Through Better Farm Management

Better farm management has proven to be a powerful driver of antibiotic reduction. Across poultry, pig, dairy, and beef systems, improvements in biosecurity, herd and flock health planning, and early disease detection have led to healthier animals and fewer infections.

Progress is not uniform across all farming systems, but important gains are visible in each sector. Poultry and pig production, historically associated with higher antibiotic use per unit of output, are increasingly adopting “antibiotics as a last resort” approaches supported by veterinary oversight.

These sector-specific improvements highlight that responsible antibiotic use requires tailored solutions that reflect the biological, environmental, and economic realities of different farming models.

Despite clear progress, challenges remain, particularly in regions where access to veterinary services, diagnostics, and farm infrastructure is limited. Addressing these gaps will require continued investment in farmer education, veterinary capacity, and affordable disease-prevention tools.

What you need to know

Health Protection First

Smarter Farming Practices

Shared Global Responsibility