A recent Kansas State University Study said that eliminating antibiotic use would cost the cattle industry $1.8 billion. SDSU Extension Veterinarian Dr. Russ Daly says antibiotics are an important tool for the entire livestock industry in helping producers keep their animal healthy.

He says in some cases there’s no substitute for antibiotics when it comes to treating animals effected by some diseases.

Daly says producers are getting better and more responsible with their antibiotic use and with working with their local vets especially given the requirements of the Veterinary Feed Directive.

The KSU study also showed that elimination of antibiotics and the resulting cost to the beef industry would result in costs being passed along to consumers.