How can antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread from feedlots to farm soil?

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread from feedlots to farm soil primarily through the use of manure as fertilizer.12

In intensive animal farming, antibiotics are frequently administered to livestock to prevent disease and promote growth. Because feedlots house large numbers of animals in confined spaces, these environments become breeding grounds for pathogenic bacteria. When this manure—which contains antibiotic-resistant bacteria—is collected from feedlot pens and applied to agricultural land to augment soil fertility, the bacteria are introduced into the environment. Research indicates that farms utilizing such manure exhibit significantly higher levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their soil compared to those that do not.12