Survey to find the effect of footrot on the New Zealand sheep industry and the effect of the footrot gene-marker test on the prevalence of footrot in sheep in 2009 : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours at Lincoln University

Abstract

Footrot is an important disease in sheep and has a severe impact resulting in economic loss to the farmer. A postal survey was carried out to find the current prevalence of footrot in New Zealand and to see if the Lincoln University Footrot Gene Marker Test has had an impact on the prevalence of this disease. Surveys were sent to 487 clients of the Lincoln University Gene-Marker Laboratory, not all of whom would use the Footrot Gene-Marker Test but all of whom use at least one gene test in their sheep production and breeding systems. The response rate was 42.1 % with 205 surveys recorded. The survey found that 58.6% of respondents have footrot on their properties. The respondents who currently have footrot on their properties estimated the average treatment cost was $2.04/head and the average loss of production cost was $3.01/head. The average total cost per head was $4.28/head. The Footrot GeneMarker Test has been used or is currently being used by 70.5% of respondents, which reflects the make up of the database used for the survey. Respondents were asked if they have footrot have they noticed a decrease or an increase in the level of footrot on their properties since selecting rams based on the Footrot Gene-Marker Test and 46% of the 124 respondents said they had noticed a decrease. Respondents were asked to estimate the per head savings from using the Footrot Gene-Marker Test on their properties and the weighted average savings per head were $2.53. There were 74% of respondents that said they would like the Footrot Gene-Marker Test and other gene technologies to be included in product quality endorsement claims or into brands. Footrot is still prevalent and costing money but the Footrot Gene-Marker Test is having an impact.