Surveys & Studies

Surveys and Studies is the section of AUS that helps the program to better understand antimicrobial usage and resistance actually occurring in California’s livestock. To accomplish this, Surveys and Studies conducts confidential, voluntary surveys and gathers biological samples for resistance testing. By participating in these surveys, Californian livestock producers and veterinarians have the opportunity to show the real picture of the industry and effect positive change. And rest assured, all individual survey responses provided to AUS Surveys and Studies are held confidential by state law.

Past Opportunities to Participate

USDA NAHMS Sheep 2024 Study

From January 2024 through November 2024, the USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), in collaboration with the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), conducted a nation-wide, voluntary study focusing on U.S. sheep operations. The NAHMS Sheep 2024 study is designed to provide the industry with new and valuable information regarding priority health and management issues facing the U.S. sheep industry.

In general, NAHMS studies provide findings applicable on a national or regional level. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) collaborated with NAHMS to expand the study in California to allow the state’s sheep industry the opportunity to be represented in a way that will hopefully yield state-level findings.

For more information, please visit NAHMS Sheep Studies.

UC Davis Aquaculture Cooperative Extension Survey for Aquaculture Producers

The CDFA AUS program worked with UC Davis Aquaculture Cooperative Extension experts to develop a survey that was administered from May to December 2022 statewide to all aquaculture sectors, including state-run hatcheries. The aquaculture industry in California is diverse and this survey collected comprehensive data on disease challenges across the different sectors, including management practices pertaining to animal health, biosecurity protocols, and antibiotic use practices. Data collected from producers through this survey is held confidential. In addition to the survey responses, a review of literature and input from an expert work group will be used to develop antibiotic stewardship guidelines to assist producers in making informed decisions regarding antibiotic use on their farms.

For more information on this study, please visit UC Davis’ Aquaculture Cooperative Extension page,
Antibiotics in Agriculture.

USDA NAHMS Feedlot 2021 Study

From March 2021 through August 2021, the USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), in collaboration with the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), conducted a nation-wide, voluntary study focusing on cattle health and management on U.S. feedlots with at least 50 head. The NAHMS Health Management on U.S. Feedlots 2021 study is designed to provide a snapshot of current feedlot cattle health management practices.

In general, NAHMS studies provide findings applicable on a national or regional level. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) collaborated with NAHMS to expand the study in California to allow the state’s feedlot industry the opportunity to be represented in a way that will yield state-level findings.

For more information, please visit NAHMS Feedlot Studies | Informational video about the study.

USDA NAHMS Swine 2021 Study

From May 2021 through January 2022, the USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), in collaboration with the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), conducted a nation-wide, voluntary study of U.S. swine operations. California was selected to participate in the small enterprise swine operation (fewer than 1,000 pigs) component that provided new information regarding animal health and management practices used on these operations, as well as the alternative marketing strategies they implement.

For more information, please visit NAHMS Swine Studies.

USDA NAHMS Goat 2019 Study

From July 2019 through May 2020, the USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), in collaboration with the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), conducted a nation-wide, voluntary study of U.S. goat operations. This was a two-phase study in line with previous USDA research. CDFA provided funding to expand Phase I and provided personnel to help conduct Phase II. Findings from this study are utilized in the development of best management practices and stewardship resources for goat producers in California.

For more information on the study, please visit NAHMS Goat Studies.

For California-specific highlights from the study, please visit
AUS' Fact Sheet: 2019 NAHMS Goat Study – CA Results.

Highlights from AUS Studies

AUS Fact Sheets – 2017 Cow Calf Survey: Summary findings from AUS’ 2017 survey of antibiotic use and stewardship on California’s cow calf operations.
2017 Cow Calf Survey | Español: Encuesta de Terneros 2017

AUS Fact Sheets – 2018 Commercial Sheep Survey: Summary findings from AUS’ 2018 survey of antibiotic use and stewardship on California’s commercial sheep operations.
2018 Commercial Sheep Survey | Español: Encuesta de Ovejas Comerciales 2018

Get Involved

AUS Surveys & Studies Trifold
The who, what, why and how the AUS program is collecting information on California animal agriculture and what you can do to help.

AUS Surveys & Studies Participation Flier
Why should California livestock owners participate in efforts to gather information?

Partner with AUS

AUS Project Pre-Proposal Checklist
If you are a researcher looking for support from the AUS program on a project aligning with AUS’ goals, please use this Checklist to create a pre-proposal for AUS review. The AUS program has an iterative process for reviewing project proposals, prioritizing funding, and developing project agreements. Submission of a Project Pre-Proposal does not guarantee the AUS program will move ahead with or fund a project.

Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship