Farm-level trends in the quantity and duration of antimicrobial use and associations with health status, reasons for use, and farm demographics in grower-finisher pigs, 2009-2024.

Lead Applicant: Anne Deckert

Research Priority: Animal Health & Welfare

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2025/2026

Research Centre: NA

Research Summary: The Public Health Agency of Canada's Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS). has been collecting data on antimicrobial use from about 90 pig farms each year across Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Québec since 2009. It records details like how much antimicrobial medicine is used, how long it’s given, the age or size of the pigs, and the reason for use. This project will take a closer look at the Ontario and National data to better understand trends in antimicrobial use on farms. By finding patterns in how and why these medicines are used, researchers hope to help farmers reduce their use where possible, while still keeping pigs healthy and protecting people and the environment from the risks of resistance.