Overuse of antibiotics in beef and dairy cattle drives antimicrobial resistance and can mask underlying welfare problems. Good stewardship means treating sick animals promptly while preventing conditions that make mass medication necessary.
High antibiotic use often signals poor underlying welfare conditions. Crowded, stressful environments suppress cattle immunity, making disease more likely. Paradoxically, reducing antibiotics improves welfare when done alongside better housing, enrichment, and earlier clinical detection. Pain relief during procedures (dehorning, castration) also reduces stress-induced immune suppression. Welfare-centred stewardship focuses on reducing the need for antibiotics rather than merely restricting access to them.