Veterinary and nonveterinary costs of disease in 29 California dairies participating in the National Animal Health Monitoring System from 1988 to 1989.
Twenty-nine California dairy herds were studied over a 12-month period from 1988 to 1989 as part of the National Animal Health Monitoring System. Monthly interviews administered to dairy producers were used to measure the costs of all health-related expenditures and disease incidence in these herds. Of the total $1,523,558 reported, $1,355,467 (89%) was attributed to cost of disease events and $168,091 (11%) to cost of disease prevention. Most (78%) of the cost of disease events was attributable to death and culling losses. Veterinary services accounted for only $54,099 (4%) of total costs, 64% of which was used for disease prevention, compared with 36% for disease treatment. Udder disease was the most costly category of diseases reported at an average of $49.85/head at risk annually, followed by reproductive problems at $38.05. Through the use of sampling strategies less biased than those used in other surveys, the National Animal Health Monitoring System is designed to provide statistically-valid estimates of disease incidence and costs across broad geographic areas, potentially benefiting all those interested in the economics of livestock diseases in the United States.
Weigler
B J
BJ
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis 95616.
Hird
D W
DW
Sischo
W M
WM
Holmes
J C
JC
Danaye-Elmi
C
C
Palmer
C W
CW
Utterback
W W
WW
D000818:Animals; D002140:California; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003612:Dairying / Q000191:economics; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000191:economics / Q000662:veterinary; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000662:veterinary; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000662:veterinary