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- Author or Editor: Willard C. Losinger x
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Abstract
Objective—To measure the economic impacts attributable to an increase in bulk-tank somatic cell count (BTSCC) on US dairies.
Design—Meta-analysis of data from various sources.
Procedure—Economic impacts attributable to reduced milk production associated with an increase in BTSCC (≥ 200,000 cells/mL) in dairy cows during 1996 were estimated from supply-and-demand curves for milk and from an estimate of the effect of increased BTSCC on milk production.
Results—Reduced milk production associated with an increase in BTSCC in dairy cows during 1996 caused an economic loss (mean ± 2SE) of 3.1 ± 2.1 billion dollars to consumers, an economic gain of 2.2 ± 1.7 billion dollars to dairy producers, and a total loss of 810 ± 480 million dollars to the US economy as a whole.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Consumers would stand to benefit from increased milk production associated with reducing the BTSCC to < 200,000 cells/mL on all dairy operations, whereas the US dairy industry would experience an economic loss. Individual dairy producers need to compare the costs of measures intended to reduce BTSCC with the anticipated benefits from a decrease in BTSCC. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005;226:1652–1658)
Abstract
Objective—To measure economic impacts attributable to the mortality rate for suckling pigs in the United States.
Design—Economic analysis that incorporated data from various sources.
Sample Population—Suckling pigs on US swine farms.
Procedure—Economic impacts associated with the mortality rate for suckling pigs during 1995 were estimated from supply-and-demand curves for pork and from an estimate of the elasticity of production for pigs entering the grower-finisher phase of production.
Results—A decrease in the mortality rate for suckling pigs would have caused an increase in pork production and a decrease in price and total value of production. Assuming no suckling pigs had died during 1995, consumer surplus would have increased by (mean ± SE) $430 ± $160 million, whereas producer surplus would have decreased by $180 ± $140 million. The total gain to the US economy would have been $250 ± $30 million.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Researchers who attempt to estimate the economic impact of mortality and morbidity rates of livestock should not ignore the influence of demand and the possibility of price adjustments. Consumers would stand to benefit from an increase in pork production associated with a reduction in the mortality rate for suckling pigs, whereas the swine industry would experience an economic loss. Individual producers need to compare the costs of measures intended to reduce the mortality rate for suckling pigs with the anticipated benefits. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005;227:896–902)
