title: Economic evaluation of neonatal health protection programs for cattle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop an economic tool that can be used to help cattle producers evaluate benefits of neonatal health programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computer simulation of a multiple-year spreadsheet model, using economic and production variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records for a university research farm beef herd.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the university research farm beef herd for each year from 1990 to 1995 were evaluated to determine economic benefits for the cow-calf enterprise that would result from a decrease in morbidity and mortality. A baseline economic evaluation of returns to variable costs was performed, using actual production and marketing information. Actual economic performance was contrasted with a projected simulation in which morbidity and mortality were decreased. Sensitivity analysis for the simulation model assessment of a neonatal health program was also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean-per-cow increase in net income for the herd during the 6-year period for morbidity and mortality reductions of 20, 40, and 60% was $7.44, $14.93, and $22.42, respectively. Sensitivity analysis revealed that net income per cow was not sensitive to errors in projections of morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identifying potential economic benefits for implementing a neonatal health plan and quantifying the costs to implement each component of the plan can be used by veterinarians and their clients when formulating a proactive strategy to provide the greatest potential for economic reward.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Randle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D018803:Models, Economic; D009017:Morbidity; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000191:economics; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary