Reimagining Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, making it harder to treat infections in both people and animals. In the dairy sector, antibiotics play a key role in keeping herds healthy—but their use is influenced by more than just biology. Reimagining Resistance brings together researchers from One Health, epidemiology, veterinary medicine, sociology, psychology, public health, and knowledge mobilization. Working across British Columbia and Ontario, our team explores how dairy farmers make decisions about antibiotic use—and how those choices are shaped by experience, community practices, and policy.
Our goal is to bridge the gap between policy and practice by identifying real-world barriers and opportunities. We aim to co-create practical, evidence-informed strategies that support dairy farmers in using antibiotics responsibly—protecting animal health, public health, and environmental sustainability.
Outcomes
We are working directly with dairy farmers, veterinarians, and industry experts to better understand the day-to-day practices and challenges that shape how antibiotics are used on farms.
Using a One Health approach—which recognizes the deep connections between human, animal, and environmental health—we explore the many factors that influence antimicrobial use. We're also rethinking microbes themselves, considering not only the risks they pose but also the vital roles they play in supporting healthy ecosystems.
Our goal is to find practical, sustainable solutions that help dairy farmers keep their herds healthy while using antibiotics responsibly. This includes exploring alternative herd management strategies and building strong collaboration across the dairy industry.
By working closely with farmers, veterinarians, and other partners, we aim to support decision-making that protects animal well-being, safeguards public health, and sustains the livelihoods of those who care for our food systems. Together, we’re working toward a more resilient future for dairy farming.
By engaging more deeply with farmers throughout this project, we aim to enrich our understanding and help bridge the gap between agricultural communities and the wider public.
Through this work, we hope to increase awareness of the daily realities of dairy farming and foster greater appreciation for farmers’ perspectives. Their knowledge and lived experience are essential to shaping a more ecological approach—one that recognizes the complexities of farm life and supports sustainable, systems-based solutions.
This work is made possible by a national, cross-sector advisory board Herman Barkema, University of Calgary; Erin Cuthbert, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food; Murray Gillies, Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System; Katherine Paphitis, Public Health Ontario; Javier Sanchez, University of Prince Edward Island; Sandy Terpstra, Almelo Holsteins Inc.; and Dairy Farmers of Canada.
Collaborators
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Dr. Kaylee Byers
Assistant Professor, UBC / Adjunct Professor, SFU
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Dr. Donald Cole
Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto
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Dr. Sarah Elton
Assistant Professor, University of Toronto
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Dr. Li-Jun Ji
Professor, Queen’s University
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Dr. Sarah Robinson
Post-Doctoral Fellow, SFU
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Dr. Rackeb Tesfaye
Knowledge Mobilization Lead and Senior Scientist, Bridge Research Consortium
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Dr. Amanda van Beinum
Assistant Professor, York University
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Dr. Veronica Nwankpa
Master of Public Health Student, SFU
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Alexandra Beukens
Research Assistant, SFU
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Simran Purewal
Research Assistant, SFU
This research is supported in part by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
