Abstract
On-farm biosecurity plays a crucial role in the control of endemic disease and is Australia’s last line for defence against an exotic animal disease incursion. This study uses a recently published stochastic disease simulation model of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) to examine the economic and non-economic value of 23 on-farm biosecurity combinations for the control of BVDV in Australian beef farms without (N0) and with (N1) a neighbouring population of PI animals.
BVDV introduction into a single-calving, self-replacing beef herd of 300 breeders was simulated through purchased bulls and neighbouring farms. The economic cost-benefit of each control measure was determined using annual gross margins collected over a 15-year period. The number of infected animals was also used to measure the impact on animal welfare, while the sale of persistently infected (PI) animals was used to represent the impact of biosecurity combinations further down the beef supply chain.
The model recorded a 15-year total cumulative loss of median AUD$172/breeder and AUD$453/breeder when BVDV was uncontrolled in an N0 and N1 herd, respectively. Quarantine of introduced cattle (N0) and quarantine + double-fencing farm boundaries with neighbouring cattle (N1) were the most cost-effective combinations while BVDV-free. Once BVDV was established in the herd, strategic PI exposure (N0) and quarantine + vaccination against BVDV (N1) were the most cost-effective combinations in the first five years of a BVDV outbreak. Vaccination (N0) and double fencing (N1) were responsible for the greatest reduction in infected animals and PI animals sold to other farms.
Maintaining a BVDV-free herd was found to be the most effective way to reduce the cost of disease and preserve the welfare of beef cattle in Australia. The ideal approach to BVDV prevention is dependent on introduction risk, as well as the priorities and values of the individual producer.
BVDV introduction into a single-calving, self-replacing beef herd of 300 breeders was simulated through purchased bulls and neighbouring farms. The economic cost-benefit of each control measure was determined using annual gross margins collected over a 15-year period. The number of infected animals was also used to measure the impact on animal welfare, while the sale of persistently infected (PI) animals was used to represent the impact of biosecurity combinations further down the beef supply chain.
The model recorded a 15-year total cumulative loss of median AUD$172/breeder and AUD$453/breeder when BVDV was uncontrolled in an N0 and N1 herd, respectively. Quarantine of introduced cattle (N0) and quarantine + double-fencing farm boundaries with neighbouring cattle (N1) were the most cost-effective combinations while BVDV-free. Once BVDV was established in the herd, strategic PI exposure (N0) and quarantine + vaccination against BVDV (N1) were the most cost-effective combinations in the first five years of a BVDV outbreak. Vaccination (N0) and double fencing (N1) were responsible for the greatest reduction in infected animals and PI animals sold to other farms.
Maintaining a BVDV-free herd was found to be the most effective way to reduce the cost of disease and preserve the welfare of beef cattle in Australia. The ideal approach to BVDV prevention is dependent on introduction risk, as well as the priorities and values of the individual producer.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages | 577 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 08 Aug 2022 |
| Event | 16th International Symposium of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics 2022: ISVEE 16 - The Halifax Convention Centre, Halifax, Canada Duration: 07 Aug 2022 → 12 Aug 2022 https://venuewest.eventsair.com/isvee2022/ https://venuewest-my.sharepoint.com/personal/congress_venuewest_com/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fcongress%5Fvenuewest%5Fcom%2FDocuments%2FPublic%2FISVEE%202022%2FISVEE%2D2022%2DProceedings%2Epdf&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Fcongress%5Fvenuewest%5Fcom%2FDocuments%2FPublic%2FISVEE%202022&ga=1 (Proceedings) https://www.sciquest.org.nz/browse/publications/view/109 (Proceedings page) |
Conference
| Conference | 16th International Symposium of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics 2022 |
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| Abbreviated title | Connecting animals, people, and their shared environments |
| Country/Territory | Canada |
| City | Halifax |
| Period | 07/08/22 → 12/08/22 |
| Other | ISVEE is a global forum for those interested in veterinary epidemiology and economics, and related disciplines in the health and social sciences, that provides an opportunity for scientists, health policymakers and other professionals, to exchange information and discuss solutions to help advance health for people, animals, and ecosystems. The 2022 edition will provide insights into various approaches to addressing animal disease spread, including the One Health perspective as well as different modelling approaches to support the control of transboundary diseases such as peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and foot and mouth disease (FMD). |
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