356 – Experiments in animal farming practice – The case of decreasing the use of antimicrobials in livestock France (Research paper – Joly – 2016)

356 Research paper – Joly – 2016 – Experiments in animal farming practice_ the case of decreasing the use of antimicrobials in livestock France

In Significant Impact Groups: Specific alternatives \ Other
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
Many farmers are engaged in home experiments about animal health. This paper offers a first characterization of experiments by 40 dairy, pig and poultry farmers working in organic, labelled or conventional systems. We found that farmers carry out multiple tests, mainly with alternative medicines. There is a clear tendency of transferring positive tests for a given pathology to one another. Seven portraits of farmers are presented to shed light on complementary dimensions of experiments: the appeal of novelty, the role of vets and technicians, and the role of farmers groups and training. It can be concluded that much can be learned from ethnographic investigation in order to grasp what farmers are experiencing when they endeavour to solve animal health problems.

Where to find the original material: https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01580679
Country: FR