An animal health panel at the Governor’s Ag Summit in Aberdeen looked at anti-microbial resistance and foreign animal diseases like foot and mouth disease. Dr. James Roth with Iowa State University says if FMD emerges in the U.S. it would be devastating for the livestock industry.

He says with the large scale of today’s herds and the amount of movement it would be difficult to control the spread of FMD and that’s why they’re taking a proactive approach. This includes building an FMD vaccine bank and preparedness plans.

South Dakota State Veterinarian Dr. Dustin Oedekoven says as far as anti-microbial resistance there are different factors that cause that condition in livestock verses humans. However, the livestock industry is trying to be responsible.

He says adherence to the Veterinary Feed Directive is another line of defense in preserving antibiotics for the future.