Browsing by Author "Edwardes, William Francis Ivor"

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    The financial implications of endemic stability as a control strategy for Bovine babesiosis in veld grazing beef production systems of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Edwardes, William Francis Ivor; Hoffmann, Willem H.; Hogeveen, Henk; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Agricultural Economics.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : The consumption of beef products in South Africa is expected to increase by 24% in the next ten years. To achieve the production levels, efficiency need to be optimised. Production challenges arise as a result of climatic changes, policy implementations, pests and production diseases of which the myriad of tick-borne diseases present in South Africa form a large component. One of the most economically important tick-borne disease is Bovine babesiosis and has carried this label for at least 35 years. Despite its importance, little economic research was conducted within South Africa boarders. Bovine babesiosis is caused after a tick vector, either Rhipicephalus decoloratus or Rhipicephalus microplus, transmits a Babesia bigemina or the more virulent Babesia bovis parasite to a susceptible bovine. Infection may result in direct production losses such as mortality and weight loss, indirect production losses such as abortions and reduced fertility which are all translated into revenue forgone. Expenditures incurred due to preventive and treatment measures as well as maintenance costs such as compensatory feed. The concept of endemic stability whereby little to no evidence of clinical disease occurs, has long been an epizootioligical principle discussed as a control strategy for Bovine babesiosis. To achieve endemic stability, a strategic dipping routine is implemented exposing cattle to a tick challenge in order to promote the development of endemic stability through parasite transmission. Farmers shifting from intensive dipping towards the strategic option is encouraged by veterinarians, but little is known about the economic and financial implications. This study attempts to fill this gap in the knowledge by exploring the financial and economic implications of either prevention method within beef farms of KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. This was achieved by developing a dynamic stochastic model which simulates a stable herd of 100 cow-spaces over a period of 15 years. Scenarios at varying seroprevalence rates were simulated to compare the economic impact incurred for either dipping strategy, to analyse the results financially, and therefore provide insight as to whether a farmer should focus on maintaining the intensive dipping option or to promote the development of endemic stability. Extreme intensive dipping in the attempt to eradicate tick-vectors is not in the scope of this study. Results indicate that Babesia bovis infections are a cause for greater concern as it may translate into damages up to twenty-fold the economic impact of Babesia bigemina. Overall results indicate that intensive dipping results in a smaller economic impact than strategic dipping except in a scenario of 90% Babesia bigemina seroprevalence. The value of weight lost is responsible for the largest component of the total economic cost. Financial indicators determine that intensive dipping is the more feasible method of prevention for all simulated scenarios of either parasite except for where a 90% Babesia bovis seroprevalence exists. With decreasing seroprevalence rates, the economic consequences decrease while the NPV and IRR increase for an intensive dipping strategy suggesting that the eradication of tick vectors in the attempt to achieve a disease free situation should result in greater production efficiencies.