Identifying knowledge gaps surrounding antimicrobial resistance: An exploratory study of antimicrobial resistant genes on Pennsylvania dairy farms

There is growing recognition that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a wicked problem in need of more systematic and interdisciplinary engagement. However, there remain significant knowledge gaps in how antimicrobial use in food-producing animals translates to AMR in animals, humans, and the environment. Drawing on an interdisciplinary approach, we utilize fecal testing on farms, to evaluate the presence of AMR genes (AMRg). Based on the existing literature we hypothesized differences in AMRg would be present between (i) calves versus cows, (ii) farms that had non-family employees versus those that did not, (iii) farms that reported a language barrier between employees and farmers versus those that did not, and and (iv) women-versus men-operated farms. While sample size is too small to draw generalizable conclusions, we did find some differences, with the most pronounced difference between calves and cows. This is an exploratory case study that makes a two-fold contribution. First, we contribute to the nascent literature explicitly focused on gender and AMR in agriculture. Second, to advance interdisciplinary research on AMR we offer an innovative methodological approach that measures the presence of AMRg on farms in the context of farm management practices and descriptive characteristics of the farm. • Significant knowledge gaps exist surrounding antimicrobial use in animal agriculture and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). • Based on social science literature, we hypothesized differences in the antimicrobial resistant gene (AMRg) profiles on dairy farms. • The analysis focuses on the age of animals, presence of non-family labor, and gender of farm operator. • The most pronounced differences in AMRg profiles were calves versus cows. • Future farm-level research that combines social science data with quantitative analysis of AMRg is recommended.