Economic evaluation of the control program for Staphylococcus aureus genotype B in dairy farms in canton Ticino
Contact Person: Beat Thomann
Duration: 2018 - 2021
In 2018, the canton Ticino starts a pilot project to control Staphylococcus aureus genotype B in dairy herds. This pathogen is an important causative agent for contagious mastitis. Research has demonstrated that a combination of improved milking hygiene, change of milking sequence, treatment of infected cows, and culling of cows resistant to therapy leads to complete elimination of the pathogen from the herd. Experiences from the control program in Ticino should be systematically analyzed to decide whether a nationwide control program for this pathogen should be implemented. This includes not only the demonstration of feasibility and sustainability of the control program, but also an analysis of whether the eradication provided an economic benefit to the individual farmer, and to the canton. The aim of the current research project is an economic evaluation of the control program in Ticino. Data on costs and benefits of the control will be collected and analyzed in an economic model.
