ICASA: New research aims to refine antibiotic use in beef and swine
Research demonstrates that antibiotic resistance may change as animals develop
14 April 2026
1 minute read
By: Antibiotics are commonly used to treat many livestock diseases. Using these medications properly helps keep them effective over time by reducing the chances that resistant bacteria survive and spread, which can make infections harder to treat. The International Consortium for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture (ICASA), a multi-partner consortium created by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), has awarded three grants totaling $2,928,257 to promote judicious antibiotic use in beef cattle and swine.
“Producers and veterinarians care deeply about keeping animals healthy, but too often they have to make antibiotic decisions without the science-based evidence they need,” said Dr. Jasmine Bruno, FFAR scientific program director. “These research projects reduce guesswork around when and how to use these important drugs.”
ICASA and matching funders are awarding Pipestone’s Dr. Francisco Cabezon $277,344 to track antibiotic-resistant bacteria on Midwestern pig farms. He is testing pigs of different ages over time to observe how resistance changes as animals grow, and whether it is influenced by the timing and type of treatments. By understanding when resistance is most likely to develop, farmers can make more informed treatment decisions and improve antibiotic effectiveness.
ICASA and matching funders are awarding Kansas State University’s (K-State) Dr. T.G. Nagaraja $203,965 to investigate the bacteria that cause liver abscesses in feedlot cattle, a common and costly condition affecting animal health and production. By pinpointing the source of bacteria, the researchers aim to help producers better understand the cause of liver abscesses and determine novel targets for interventions.
Lastly, ICASA and matching funders are awarding K-State's Dr. Brad White $2,446,948. White and a multidisciplinary research team are advancing 2024 ICASA research examining why some feedlot cattle develop deadly lung problems after getting bovine respiratory disease, and how to better predict which animals are at risk. Early findings from their ICASA project highlight patterns that could improve how the industry identifies and manages high-risk cattle. This award provides an additional year of research, bringing the total ICASA investment in the project to $4,893,893.
ICASA is a research consortium representing the U.S. beef and swine supply chains with a six-year success record. The consortium welcomes new participants to help guide future research and select and support projects. For more information about joining ICASA, contact Lauren Hershey at [email protected].
