A socio-economic study of Fasciola infections in cattle and sheep at the Etoudi slaughterhouse, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

A cross-sectional socio-economic study of fascioliasis in livestock was carried out at the Livestock Development Cooperation (SODEPA) slaughterhouse in Etoudi, Yaoundé during the periods covering the beginning and late dry season in the northern and eastern regions of Cameroon. A total of 768 cattle and 267 sheep were inspected for the presence of Fasciola species. The overall infection rate in cattle and sheep was 18% (n = 767) and 27% (n = 267), respectively. For the animals that were Fasciola positive, a total of 267.86 kg of liver in cattle was condemned, resulting in a loss of US$1124, while a total of 57 kg of liver was condemned from the sheep population, amounting to a loss of US$114. A total of US$76,097 was determined as losses incurred from condemnation of liver for both cattle and sheep per annum based on the total number slaughtered each year. The findings indicate that fascioliasis is present in cattle and sheep slaughtered in Cameroon and that it causes great economic losses due to condemnation of liver. The local climatic conditions, husbandry systems and the presence of snails (intermediate hosts) are probably the main factors influencing the incidence of the disease and may account for the epidemiological significance found in this study.

Economic costs of recorded reasons for cow mortality and culling in a pasture-based dairy industry.

The objective of this study was to determine the economic costs associated with different reasons for cow culling or on-farm mortality in a pasture-based seasonal system. A bioeconomic model was developed to quantify costs associated with the different farmer-recorded reasons and timing of cow wastage. The model accounted for the parity and stage of lactation at which the cows were removed as well as the consequent effect on the replacement rate and average age structure of the herd. The costs and benefits associated with the change were quantified, including animal replacement cost, cull salvage value, milk production loss, and the profitability of altered genetic merit based on industry genetic trends for each parity. The total cost of cow wastage was estimated to be NZ$23,628/100 cows per year (NZ$1 = US$0.69) in a pasture-based system. Of this total cost, NZ$14,300/100 cows worth of removals were for nonpregnancy and unknown reasons, and another NZ$3,631/100 cows was attributed to low milk production, mastitis, and udder problems. The total cost for cow removals due to farmer-recorded biological reasons (excluding unknown, production, and management-related causes) was estimated to be NZ$13,632/100 cows per year. Of this cost, an estimated NZ$10,286/100 cows was attributed to nonpregnancy, mastitis, udder problems, calving trouble, and injury or accident. There is a strong economic case for the pasture-based dairy industries to invest in genetic, herd health, and production management research focused on reducing animal wastage due to reproductive failure, mastitis, udder problems, injuries or accidents, and calving difficulties.

Animal health and price transmission along livestock supply chains.

Animal health diseases can severely affect the food supply chain by causing variations in prices and market demand. Price transmission analysis reveals in what ways price variations are transmitted along the supply chain, and how supply chains of substitute products and different regional markets are also affected. In perfect markets, a price variation would be completely and instantaneously transmitted across the different levels of the supply chain: producers, the processing industry, retailers and consumers. However, empirical studies show that food markets are often imperfect, with anomalies or asymmetries in price transmission and distortions in the distribution of market benefits. This means, for instance, that a price increase at the consumer level may not be transmitted from retailers to processors and producers; yet, on the other hand, price falls may rapidly affect the upstream supply chain. Market concentration and the consequent exertion of market power in key segments of the supply chain can explain price transmission asymmetries and their distributional effects, but other factors may also be involved, such as transaction costs, scale economies, and imperfect information. During the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis, asymmetric price transmission in the beef supply chain and related meat markets determined distributional effects among sectors. After the spread of the BSE food scare, the fall in demand marginally affected the price paid to retailers, but producers and wholesalers suffered much more, in both price reductions and the time needed to recover to precrisis demand. Price transmission analysis investigates how animal health crises create different economic burdens for various types of stakeholder, and provides useful socioeconomic insights when used with other tools.

Les maladies animales peuvent avoir de graves répercussions sur la filière agroalimentaire en occasionnant une instabilité des prix et de la demande. L'analyse de la transmission des prix met en lumière la manière dont les variations de prix se transmettent tout au long de la chaîne d'approvisionnement et leurs conséquences sur les productions de substitution et sur les différents marchés régionaux. Dans un marché parfait, toute variation de prix se répercute de manière intégrale et instantanée à chaque niveau de la chaîne d'approvisionnement : producteurs, transformateurs, détaillants et consommateurs. Des études empiriques ont toutefois montré que les marchés de l'agroalimentaire sont souvent imparfaits, avec des anomalies ou des asymétries dans la transmission des prix ainsi que des distorsions dans la répartition des bénéfices commerciaux. Ainsi, par exemple, une hausse du prix payé par le consommateur ne se transmet pas nécessairement du détaillant aux transformateurs et aux producteurs, tandis qu'une baisse des prix affecte très rapidement la filière en amont. Si les asymétries de la transmission des prix et leur impact distributif peuvent s'expliquer par la concentration des marchés et par la puissance commerciale exercée par des segments clés de la chaîne d'approvisionnement, d'autres facteurs entrent également en jeu, tels les coûts de transaction, les économies d'échelle et les failles de l'information. Lors de la crise due à l'encéphalopathie spongiforme bovine (ESB), l'asymétrie de la transmission des prix au sein de la filière viande bovine et des marchés connexes de la viande a eu pour conséquence un impact distributif parmi les secteurs concernés. Suite à la panique causée par l'ESB, la chute de la demande a eu des répercussions marginales sur le prix payé aux détaillants, tandis que les producteurs et les grossistes ont été beaucoup plus affectés, non seulement par la chute des prix mais aussi par le temps qu'il leur a fallu attendre avant que la demande retrouve son niveau d'avant la crise. L'analyse de la transmission des prix permet de comprendre la diversité des répercussions économiques d'une crise de santé animale en fonction des parties prenantes concernées et fournit un éclairage socio-économique précieux lorsqu'elle est utilisée parallèlement à d'autres outils.

Las enfermedades de los animales pueden resultar muy perjudiciales para la cadena de suministro alimentario por las oscilaciones que provocan en los precios y la demanda del mercado. El análisis de la transmisión de precios revela de qué manera las variaciones de precios se transmiten a lo largo de la cadena de suministro y cómo afectan también a las cadenas de suministro de productos sustitutorios y a mercados regionales diferentes. En un mercado perfecto, la variación de un precio se transmitiría de forma completa e instantánea a los distintos eslabones de la cadena de suministro: productores, industria transformadora, minoristas y consumidores. Sin embargo, los estudios empíricos demuestran que los mercados agroalimentarios suelen ser imperfectos y presentar anomalías o asimetrías en la transmisión de los precios, así como distorsiones en la distribución de los beneficios comerciales. Ello significa, por ejemplo, que un aumento de precio a nivel del consumidor puede no transmitirse de los minoristas a los transformadores y productores. Por otro lado, en cambio, las caídas de precios pueden afectar rápidamente a los primeros eslabones de la cadena de suministro. La concentración del mercado y el consiguiente ejercicio del poder de mercado en segmentos clave de la cadena de suministro pueden explicar las asimetrías de la transmisión de precios y sus efectos en la distribución, aunque también es posible que intervengan otros factores, como los costos de transacción, las economías de escala o las imperfecciones de la información. Durante la crisis causada por la encefalopatía espongiforme bovina (EEB), la transmisión asimétrica de los precios en la cadena de suministro de carne vacuna y en los mercados cárnicos conexos trajo consigo una serie de efectos distributivos entre los sectores. Cuando cundió la alarma causada por la EEB, la caída de la demanda afectó solo de manera marginal al precio pagado a los minoristas, pero en cambio productores y mayoristas sufrieron mucho más, tanto por la caída de precios como por el tiempo necesario para que la demanda recuperara los niveles previos a la crisis. El análisis de la transmisión de precios estudia cómo las crisis zoosanitarias imponen una carga económica variable a las distintas partes interesadas y proporciona información socioeconómica de utilidad cuando se emplea en combinación con otras herramientas.

The economics of animal welfare.

This paper examines four examples of animal welfare issues, demonstrating the interactions between welfare and economic principles. Welfare issues associated with purebred companion animals are examined in terms of predicted inherited diseases, highlighting the power of supply and demand in perpetuating traits in pets that compromise their well-being. The livestock industry is presented from the point of view of pig production and the impact that a major disease (pleurisy) has on production and the animals' welfare. The authors investigate the conflicting and complementary demands of animal welfare and economic gains during the transport and slaughter of livestock and poultry. Finally, wildlife species are considered in terms of their prevalence as pests, and the different types of economic analysis that have been conducted to understand the losses caused by these organisms. Also included in this example are decisions made about cost effectiveness and opportunity costs, and regulatory and financial barriers to the development of humane control agents. In conclusion, animal welfare is illustrated as a central factor in the benefits that humans enjoy from the role played by animals in society. There are, however, tradeoffs between optimal animal welfare and meeting the needs of modern human society.

Les auteurs analysent les effets réciproques du bien-être animal et des principes de l'économie à travers quatre exemples. La problématique du bienêtre des animaux de compagnie de race est examinée en lien avec les maladies à prédisposition génétique, ce qui permet de souligner l'influence de l'offre et de la demande dans la perpétuation de traits génétiques particuliers à ces animaux, au péril de leur bien-être. Le secteur de l'élevage est examiné à travers l'exemple de la production porcine en étudiant l'impact d'une maladie majeure (pleurésie) sur la production et le bien-être des porcs. Les auteurs abordent ensuite les exigences antinomiques ou complémentaires du bien-être animal et de la rentabilité économique dans le domaine du transport et de l'abattage des animaux d'élevage et des volailles. Enfin, les espèces sauvages sont examinées du point de vue de leur rôle en tant que nuisibles, en exposant les différentes manières d'expliquer au moyen d'analyses économiques les pertes causées par les nuisibles. Cet exemple aborde également les décisions en matière de rentabilité et les coûts d'opportunité, ainsi que les obstacles réglementaires et financiers à l'utilisation d'agents pouvant servir à contrôler les maladies par des méthodes respectueuses du bien-être animal. En conclusion, le bien-être animal apparaît comme un facteur central des bénéfices que les humains retirent des animaux et de leur rôle dans la société. Il y a néanmoins des compromis à trouver entre l'optimisation du bien-être animal et les exigences d'une société moderne.

Apoyándose en cuatro ejemplos de bienestar animal, los autores ponen de manifiesto cuán imbricados están entre sí los temas de bienestar y los principios económicos. Ante todo examinan los problemas de bienestar que sufren los animales de compañía de pura raza por lo que respecta a sus previsibles enfermedades hereditarias, subrayando el poder de la ley de la oferta y la demanda para perpetuar en ellos una serie de rasgos que comprometen su bienestar. A continuación se detienen en la ganadería industrial, y más concretamente en la producción porcina y la influencia que ejerce una enfermedad importante (la pleuresía) en el bienestar de los animales y en la propia producción. Después exponen los imperativos antagónicos y complementarios que se plantean en clave de bienestar animal y de beneficio económico durante las operaciones de transporte y sacrificio de ganado y aves de corral. Por último, considerando las especies de animales salvajes desde el punto de vista de su prevalencia como plagas, exponen los distintos tipos de análisis económico que se han realizado para aprehender las pérdidas resultantes de las plagas. Valiéndose de este ejemplo examinan también las decisiones adoptadas en materia de rentabilidad y de costos de oportunidad, así como las barreras reglamentarias y económicas que dificultan un funcionamiento más compasivo de los agentes de control. El bienestar animal, en conclusión, aparece como un factor central de los beneficios que extrae el ser humano de la función que cumplen los animales en la sociedad. Sin embargo, es preciso hallar un compromiso entre los niveles óptimos de bienestar animal y la satisfacción de las necesidades de la sociedad humana moderna.

Prevalence and economic implications of calf foetal wastage in an abattoir in Northcentral Nigeria.

The study was conducted to evaluate the volume of pregnant cows slaughtered at Minna abattoir, Niger State, Nigeria between 2001 and 2009 based on abattoir meat inspection records. Of the 98,407 cows slaughtered, 4,368 were pregnant, translating to a ratio of one calf foetal wastage in every 23 cows slaughtered. The wastage was significantly (P<0.05) high during the early rainy season (April to June). There was no significant difference observed across the years. The economic impact of the wastage is estimated at N8, 353,800.00 ($56,828.57) which is a great loss to the livestock industry. With these findings, there is the need to advocate for adequate enforcement of legislations on routine veterinary examinations at the slaughter houses in Nigeria. Also, livestock owners should be educated on the seasonal breeding patterns of cattle in order to avoid selling cows during the calving season to salvage high level of calf foetal wastage.

Economic Importance of Hydatid Cyst in Slaughtered Cattle of Mugla Province

Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence, seasonal distribution and economic effects of hydatid cyst infection in slaughtered cattle of Mugla province. Methods: Data from the 2019 records of the Mugla Metropolitan Municipal Abattoir were studied retrospectively. Both direct and indirect calculation methods were used to determine the economic losses incurred due to hydatid cyst. Results: Twenty-one out of 9.985 (0.21%) cattle were found to have been infected with hydatid cyst in 2019. The highest prevelance of infection was reported in February (1.17%), while no cases were observed in May, June and August. The direct economic loss attributed to liver destruction in Mugla province was 11,760 TL (1.950 $). The total indirect economic loss caused by hydatid cyst (carcass loss, milk production loss, decreased fecundity) was 122,691 TL (20,346 $). Cumulatively, the direct and indirect economic losses for hydatid cyst disease in Mugla province were 134,451 TL (22,296 $). Conclusion: According to our results, the prevalence of hydatid cyst in cattle of Mugla province was 0.21%, which was still lower than the average loss in Turkey in spite of the corresponding significant economic loss.

Prevalence of Liver Hydatidosis and Its Economic Significance in Sheep Slaughtered in a Private Abattoir in Konya

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of liver hydatidosis in sheep slaughtered in a private slaughterhouse in Konya and to estimate the economic loss incurred because of the disease. Methods: The study was conducted over a period of 12 months between 1 June 2018 and 31 May 2019. Given that the aim of this investigation was to determine the prevalence of liver hydatidosis, only the livers of 41,002 sheep were examined for hydatid cysts. Results: The liver of 810 (1.97%) sheep was found to be infected with hydatid cysts during the study period. The infection rate was determined as 5.34% in animals older than one year of age and 1.68% in animals less than one year of age. Regardless of the age group, the highest infection rate was found in autumn (3.34%), while the lowest infection rate was seen in spring (0.84%). In the sheep, the highest infection rate was in December (17.2%), and in lambs, it was in June (2.9%). On the other hand, the lowest infection rate in sheep was observed in November (1.8%), while the lowest infection rate in lambs was found in April (0.7%). The total economic loss incurred due to the annihilated livers was estimated as 36,450 TL (6.417$). Regardless of the number of cysts and degree of infection, the infected livers were completely discarded. The economic loss incurred due to the discarded livers was estimated by considering the 2019 offal prices. Conclusion: Based on the data obtained from this study, it could be concluded that hydatidosis still exists in Konya as well as throughout Turkey and that it causes serious economic loss.

The abattoir condemnation of meat because of parasitic infection, and its economic importance: results of a retrospective study in north-eastern Iran.

In nine districts in the north of Khorasan province, in north-eastern Iran, a 5-year retrospective study was carried out to determine the prevalences, in livestock slaughtered in abattoirs, of the parasitic infections responsible for the condemnation of the animals' carcasses and viscera (and the economic importance of such infections in terms of lost meat and offal). Between 20 March 2005 and 19 March 2010, 436,620 animals (45,360 cattle, 275,439 sheep, 115,674 goats and 147 camels) were slaughtered in the study area and the livers of 30,207 (6.9%), the lungs of 23,259 (5.3%) and the carcasses of 1072 (0.2%) of these animals were condemned. Almost all (92.4%) of the condemned livers, most (68.9%) of the condemned lungs but only 10.8% of the condemned carcasses were rejected because of parasitic infection. The parasitic lesions observed in the condemned livers were attributed to Echinococcus granulosus, Fasciola hepatica and/or Dicrocoelium dendriticum (cattle, sheep and goats) or entirely to E. granulosus (camels). All the parasitic lesions observed in the condemned lungs (which also came from cattle, sheep, goats and camels) were attributed to E. granulosus. Sarcocystis cysts and/or Taenia cysticerci were found in ovine muscle while only Taenia cysticerci were detected in bovine muscle (no parasitic lesions were observed in the muscles of the goats and camels). Parasites were responsible for 80.8% of the condemned organs or carcasses, and the value of the food lost because of parasite-related condemnation (based on market prices in 2010) was estimated to be U.S.$421,826 (U.S.$47,980 for cattle, U.S.$316,344.0 for sheep, U.S.$57,372 for goats and U.S.$130 for camels). The parasites contributing most to the condemnation of otherwise marketable organs and muscles were E. granulosus (52.2%) and D. dendriticum flukes (29.5%). These parasites clearly remain too common and cause considerable economic loss in Khorasan and, presumably, other areas of Iran.

Pork quality after electrical or carbon dioxide stunning at slaughter.

A total of 172 pigs were randomly allocated to two stunning treatments: carbon dioxide (CO2) and electrical stunning at a commercial abattoir. The Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle was used to evaluate the effects of stunning methods on pork quality and financial losses of carcasses and viscera condemnation was also determined following by sanitary inspection. There was no effect due to stunning method on quality parameters (P > .137) of pH 24, drip or thaw loss, lipid oxidation, myofibrillar fragmentation index, shear force or PSE / DFD meat incidence. The LL muscle of the electrically stunned pigs had a higher L * value (P < .05), higher cooking loss (P < .001) and lower pH 45 (P < .05) compared to those stunned with CO2. CO2 stunned pigs had fewer carcasses condemned due to fractures / lesions (P < .05), hepatic and renal congestion (P < .05). CO2 stunning can be beneficial from an economic point of view because it has reduced losses through condemnation at the slaughterhouse.

Physiological and economic benefits of abandoning invasive surgical procedures and enhancing animal welfare in swine production.

Food-animal welfare is a major ethical and social concern. Pork is the most consumed meat worldwide, with over a billion pigs slaughtered annually. Most of these pigs routinely undergo painful surgical procedures (surgical castration, tail docking, teeth clipping), which farmers often reluctant to avoid, claiming it would increase cost and reduce production efficiency. Herein, this study indicates that these procedures compromise pigs' health and condition. Replacing surgical castration with immunocastration, avoiding tail docking and teeth clipping, and providing environmental enrichment, resulted in significant increase in weight gain, lowered risks for injuries and death, and reduced saliva and hair cortisol, both biomarkers for stress. Testosterone and DHEA analyses confirmed that immunocastration was an effective alternative to surgical castration. Economic models for the entire US swine market revealed that following across-the-board acceptance of this management, pork meat price is expected to drop, while the total annual social welfare (combined consumer and producer surplus) is expected to increase by $US 1.48 to 1.92 billion. In conclusion, sustainable swine farming management can be beneficial for both animals and farmers. Applying such welfare-friendly management is expected to reduce stress, enhance piglet/pig welfare and production, and improve the economics of swine operations in the global agro-food system.