Economic analysis of biosecurity adoption in dairy farming: evidence from Ireland

Given the significant negative impact of livestock disease outbreaks on animal and public health, preventing disease spread through biosecurity practices is important. In this study, we used a nationally representative dataset that included information on biosecurity practices of almost 300 Irish dairy farmers. We applied parametric and nonparametric estimation methods to assess the economic implications of adopting the following biosecurity measures: vaccination, bulk tank milk testing for diseases, and not pooling colostrum. We found mixed evidence of biosecurity practices on economic outcomes, measured as gross margins per cow. Specifically, we found that vaccination and testing bulk tank milk for diseases were significantly associated with better economic outcomes for dairy farms. However, we found no significant association with the economic performance of not pooling colostrum from more than one animal. Our findings have important policy implications required for targeting support for the adoption of biosecurity practices in dairy herds. Lay Summary Given the significant negative impact of livestock disease outbreaks on animal and public health, preventing disease spread through biosecurity practices is important. In this article, we assessed the economic implications of the adoption of biosecurity practices on Irish dairy farms. Specifically, we studied vaccination, testing bulk tank milk for diseases, and not pooling colostrum from more than one animal. Our analysis is based on a dataset of almost 300 dairy farmers that included information on the adoption of these practices combined with detailed information on the farm's economic performance. Our findings support the adoption of biosecurity measures. Specifically, we found that vaccination and testing bulk tank milk for diseases are significantly associated with economic benefits resulting in higher gross margins per cow, while our results do not provide a positive association on farm economic performance of not pooling colostrum. However, not pooling colostrum from more than one animal as a biosecurity practice is not negatively associated with economic outcomes of farms. Our results are important from a policy perspective to support increased adoption of biosecurity practices among livestock farmers globally. The prevention of animal disease spread is very important, from an economic, animal as well as public health perspective. In this study, we used a nationally representative dataset that included information on biosecurity practices of almost 300 Irish dairy farmers and found that vaccination and testing bulk tank milk for diseases were significantly associated with better economic outcomes for dairy farms.

Automated summary

Given the significant negative impact of livestock disease outbreaks on animal and public health, preventing disease spread through biosecurity practices is important. This study assessed the economic implications of adopting biosecurity practices on Irish dairy farms. The results showed that vaccination and testing bulk tank milk for diseases were significantly associated with better economic outcomes, while not pooling colostrum did not show a significant association. These findings have important policy implications for promoting the adoption of biosecurity practices among livestock farmers globally.