Antimicrobial use on dairy farms in Minas Gerais, Brazil
Antimicrobial consumption; Dairy farm; Defined Daily Dose for Animals (DDDA); One Health; Brazil.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is currently recognized as one of the greatest global threats to public and animal health and is directly associated with the inappropriate and excessive use of these drugs. In this context, livestock production plays a relevant role, especially due to the widespread use of antimicrobials in production systems. Although Brazil occupies a prominent position worldwide regarding veterinary antimicrobial sales, important gaps still remain related to understanding the actual consumption of these drugs at the farm level, particularly in dairy farming. Given this scenario, this study aims to quantify antimicrobial use and classify the risks associated with the use of these drugs on dairy farms in Minas Gerais, Brazil, over a one-year period (July 2024 to July 2025). The study is being conducted in partnership with the Central Cooperative of Rural Producers of Minas Gerais (CCPR), the largest milk collection cooperative in Latin America, and includes 175 dairy farms distributed across different regions of the state. Data collection combines different approaches, including herd characterization, assessment of management and animal health practices, and monitoring of antimicrobial use through two main methods: the waste bin method and treatment records collected on farms. The quantification of antimicrobial use was performed using the Defined Daily Dose for Animals (DDDA) methodology, according to the recommendations of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). This study is expected to generate one of the first large-scale assessments of antimicrobial use in dairy farming in Minas Gerais, providing support for strategies for the rational use of these drugs, strengthening surveillance programs, and contributing to the development of public policies aligned with the One Health concept.