Antibiotic use in agriculture is an issue consumers have become more concerned within recent years. Through a panel that brought together veterinarians, researchers and agriculture professionals from both organic and conventional farms, participants asked questions and gained a balanced view on the topic. The panel discussion, which was free and open to students and the public, took place on Tuesday, March 1st, on the UW-Madison campus .
Panelists included Mark Cook, Melissa Haag, Sarah Slaby and Shelly Mayer. Bryant Gill, the Assistant Farm Director at Mid-West Family Broadcasting served as moderator for the panel.
Dr. Mark Cook is a Professor in Animal Sciences and affiliate professor of Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, Nutritional Sciences and the Food Research Institute at the UW-Madison. His research focuses on dietary mechanisms to control inflammation and increase animal growth and development in chickens.
Dr. Melissa Haag received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in 2012 and has worked with livestock at Lodi Veterinary Care since her graduation. She primarily works with beef and dairy cattle but provides services to pigs, sheep and goats as well. Melissa and her husband own a dairy farm located in the town of Dane. Dr. Haag is passionate about modern agriculture and enjoys working with farmers to produce quality, nutritious food.
Dr. Sarah Slaby is a practicing, large animal organic veterinarian. She owns and manages a sole proprietorship, Dr. Sarah Slaby Veterinary Service, specializing in organic and sustainable agriculture. She also has her own line of natural products for treating dairy cows, Dr. Sarah’s Essentials. Dr. Slaby helps her husband manage their dairy herd which has been shipping milk to Organic Valley since November 2011.
Listen to Bryant and Kaite Griswald Interview after the completion of the Very well attended Antibiotics