More Poultry Associations Join International Effort to Cut Antimicrobial Use in Poultry

May 10, 2024

By Chris Dall

Seven more groups involved in poultry production have signed on to an international effort to reduce the use of antimicrobials on poultry farms.

The organizations, which include poultry associations from several European countries and fast-food giant Yum! Brands, announced yesterday that they'll adopt principles developed by the Transformational Strategies for Farm Risk Output Mitigation (TRANSFORM) project to ensure the proper use of antimicrobials on poultry farms. Funded by the US Agency for International Development, the project is led by a consortium that includes Cargill, Heifer International, and the International Poultry Council (IPC) and uses antimicrobial stewardship principles developed by the IPC.

The principles encourage adopters to commit to taking action in four key areas: (1) taking a risk-based approach around each instance of antimicrobial use, (2) adopting farm management practices that improve animal health and reduce the need for antimicrobials, (3) using antimicrobials only in compliance with national authorizations, and (4) using medically important antibiotics only under a supervising veterinarian's diagnosis and oversight.

Sending a message about stewardship

A total of 26 organizations have now signed on to TRANSFORM, representing more than 40% of global poultry meat production. Launched in 2021, the project has provided training to more than 80,000 farmers in India and Kenya.

"By proactively supporting science-based antimicrobial use principles, the private sector is sending a clear message that antimicrobial stewardship is good business," IPC President Ricardo Santin said in a Cargill press release. "We hope others are inspired to make the same commitments to stewardship, adopting science-based practices that both improve animal health and deliver benefits to their bottom line."

Source : umn.edu

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.