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ISU to study role of manure management in antibiotic resistance

Iowa State University researchers were recently awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study how manure management systems for livestock affect the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

This builds on previous research from the team, who have also studied how other factors in livestock production such as environmental processes, contribute to antibiotic resistance. Adina Howe, assistant professor of agricultural and bio systems engineering and principal investigator, said antibiotic resistance poses a real threat to animal health, as well as human. The research will work to fill gaps in the understanding of how livestock production and manure management can resist the spread of such bacteria.

Researchers will study methods such as decomposition with composting, anaerobic digestion and more.

The research team also includes Michelle Soupir, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering; as well as Daniel Andersen, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering; and Diana Aga, Henry Woodburn Professor of Chemistry at the University at Buffalo.