Productive losses due to the occurrence of diseases in South Brazilian cattle farming

Abstract

The increasing consumption of animal products has resulted in a greater concern for its sanity. In the meat production chain, inspection in slaughterhouses seeks to detect the main diseases before the products reach the consumer. Since some diseases affect the productivity of the herds, this verification serves as an indicator to aid their combat in the productive units. This study related the occurrence of the main diseases found in the cattle slaughtering in the State of Rio Grande do Sul with the potential economic and productive losses. Data from 6,833,033 slaughtering occurring in establishments with Federal Inspection Service (SIF) between 2007 and 2015 were analyzed. Losses resulting from reductions in productive performance were estimated. Around 24.25 % of the slaughtered animals were affected by some disease. Fasciolosis, hydatidosis, cysticercosis, actinobacillosis, actinomycosis and tuberculosis presented higher prevalences, resulting in an estimated loss of US$ 14.7 million per year for animals slaughtered in establishments with SIF (35.58 % of total). Considering all slaughtering (with federal, state, or municipal inspection) this value would be more than 41.3 million dollars per year. The quantification of cattle farmers' economic loss due to animal diseases allows them to combat their cause. The reduction of diseases benefits the entire productive chain with economic, social, and environmental impacts.