Summary
This qualitative study uses Bourdieu's theory of practice to analyse how 42 English livestock farmers approach anthelmintic use and drug resistance. The author demonstrates that farmers' prioritisation of productivity and immediate animal health often overrides adherence to antimicrobial stewardship, and identifies a systematic disconnect between top-down technical guidelines and the complexity of farming contexts. The paper argues that drug resistance in livestock agriculture is embedded within intensive production systems and medicalisation, and that policy approaches must account for the situated logics of farm practice rather than treating resistance solely as a knowledge or compliance problem.
Regional applicability
The study is conducted in England and directly reflects United Kingdom livestock farming contexts, practices, and farmer–veterinarian relationships. Findings are immediately applicable to UK policy on antimicrobial stewardship in livestock, particularly the need to move beyond dissemination of technical guidelines towards co-produced, contextually embedded approaches to farm antimicrobial management.
Key measures
Qualitative themes from 42 in-depth farmer interviews on deworming practice, decision-making, veterinarian–farmer communication, and engagement with expert guidance.
Outcomes reported
The study examined how farmers' everyday practices and decision-making regarding anthelmintic use contribute to drug resistance development. It identified tensions between farm productivity priorities and recommended antimicrobial stewardship practices, and critiqued the disconnect between technical policy guidelines and on-farm realities.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Ask about this record, its theme or its relevance to UK farming and policy. Pulse AI uses selected catalogue evidence and cites the sources it draws on.