COST-BENEFIT COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF MASTITIS CONTROL BY SIMULATION: MODEL DESCRIPTION AND PROFITABILITY OF STRATEGIES TARGETING SUBCLINICALLY INFECTED COWS

摘要

This study aimed to assess the economic effectiveness of different strategies for the control of subclinical udder infections. Assessment was performed using ECOMAST, a dynamic, stochastic simulation model. Control plans combining lactational treatment of subclinically infected young cows, application of a strict culling policy to persistently infected old cows and/or improvement in prevention were evaluated in four different initial udder-health situations. The plans were ranked according to their discounted gross margin. Control plans that incorporated lactational treatment were amongst the most profitable measures when the udder-health situation of the herd was poor. A strict culling policy resulted hi a rapid improvement of the bulk milk somaticcell count but it was very often not profitable because of non-fulfilment of the milk quota. Economic implications of country-specific penalties for somatic cell counts and milk quotas should be considered to help in generalizing the results.