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NCBA & FFAR Demonstrate the Power of Public-Private Partnerships to Advance Antimicrobial Stewardship

Washington D.C.

  • Production Systems

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) hosted an educational briefing for congressional staff highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing antimicrobial stewardship in the U.S. beef and swine sectors.

The briefing featured a panel discussion on the initial success of research conducted through the International Consortium for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture (ICASA), which FFAR established in 2019. The consortium has since invested $15 million in 31 research projects and plans to make additional awards in early 2027.

Kathy Simmons headshot

This briefing demonstrated that ICASA’s vital research for beef and swine producers would not be possible without FFAR’s public-private partnership model.

Dr. Kathy Simmons
NCBA chief veterinarian and one of the panelists.

Simmons also noted during the briefing that to make real and lasting change to antimicrobial stewardship, which safeguards farm profitability, partners representing all stages of the U.S. beef and swine supply chains must be included. FFAR’s public-private partnership model is critical in bringing the right participants to the table, amplifying research investment through its matching requirement and ensuring that research findings ultimately reach producers, she added.

“Continued investment in FFAR is the only way to ensure that ICASA can conduct multi-year research advancing science-based stewardship practices that benefit producers and consumers,” Simmons said. “Additionally, robust, long-term public investment in FFAR and ICASA is necessary to support the U.S. beef and swine industries by further scaling the proven solutions resulting from the consortium’s research.”

Panelists included Dr. Joel Nerem, director of industry relations at Pipestone Veterinary Service, and Dr. Kendall L. Samuelson, associate professor of animal science at West Texas A&M University and recipient of two ICASA grants. FFAR Executive Director Dr. Saharah Moon Chapotin was moderator.

The panel discussed how addressing antimicrobial stewardship is essential for mitigating public health risks and preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics for both human and animal health. Panelists emphasized that providing producers with tools to support judicious use of antibiotics saves money by keeping animals healthy, which minimizes treatment costs and increases profits by reducing livestock deaths. The panelists further explained how these initial ICASA research projects promote targeted antibiotic use, advance animal health and welfare and ensure the supply of U.S. beef and pork for consumers.

Portrait of Saharah Moon Chapotin.

I hope the attendees left the briefing with a greater understanding of the importance of FFAR’s public-private partnerships model and how this collaborative approach allows ICASA’s participants to investigate research questions impacting the livestock supply chain that no one entity can address alone.

 Saharah Moon Chapotin, Ph.D.
Executive Director

FFAR recommitted to ICASA in 2025 with returning and new consortium participants, and the Consortium welcomes interest from new participants.

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International Consortium for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture

The International Consortium for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture (ICASA) is a public-private partnership created by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) to advance research on antimicrobial stewardship in animal agriculture. ICASA’s research promotes the judicious use of antibiotics, advances animal health and welfare and increases transparency in food production practices.