Work

Factors impacting beef cattle producers' perceptions on disease prevention and preparedness in Illinois, USA: The role of farm biosecurity evaluations, veterinary visits, and willingness to invest in disease prevention

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreaks can impact herd health. A survey was administered to beef cattle producers in Illinois between June and August 2022. From the survey responses, ordinal regression models were constructed to assess the associations between farmers’ perceptions of disease prevention and FAD risk (a 5-level outcome) and producers’ animal health management practices (predictors). The response rate was 18% (537 respondents). Respondents positively perceived the importance of developing a disease prevention plan to be used during a FAD outbreak if their farms’ biosecurity was evaluated, were willing to invest in disease prevention, and a veterinarian visited their farms. Respondents who had a positive perception towards the importance of education materials on FADs had higher odds of having on-farm biosecurity evaluations (OR=1.97, 95% CI: 1.35-2.86), a veterinarian visited their farm (OR=1.48, 95% CI:1.04-2.11), and were willing to pay more for disease prevention (OR=2.53, 95% CI:1.77-3.62). In addition, respondents willing to pay more for disease prevention (OR=0.36; 95% CI:0.25- 0.53) were less likely to believe that an FAD would not occur in the US in the next five years. Strengthening veterinary engagement, promoting on-farm biosecurity evaluations, and supporting producers willing to invest in disease prevention is important for improving beef cattle farmers’ preparedness for FAD outbreaks. These findings underscore the importance of targeted education and resource allocation to enhance the resilience of the beef sector in Illinois and the United States of America.

Source: Research in Veterinary Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2025.105955

Authors: Csaba Varga, Rima Shrestha, Mohammad Nasim Sohail

Institutions: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Peoria campus of the University of Illinois System

Language: English

Topic: Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology

Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,290