Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Veterinary services to the Pennsylvania sheep industry.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1980
- Authors:
- Donoghue, S et al.
Plain-English summary
A study was done in Pennsylvania to understand how sheep farmers and veterinarians manage sheep health and diseases. Many sheep producers were hesitant to seek veterinary help because they were worried about the costs, even though the average yearly expense for veterinary services was about $143 per flock, which is considered reasonable. The farmers didn't seem to realize the benefits they could gain from using these services. The researchers suggested that better coordination between veterinarians and farmers could help improve sheep production and profits. They also recommended figuring out the cost versus benefits of veterinary care to help create effective health programs for sheep.
Abstract
Questionnaires on ovine management and disease were distributed to sheep producers and large animal veterinarians in Pennsylvania. Returns indicated economic analysis of veterinary services to eastern farm flocks to be of primary importance. Although most producers were reluctant to request veterinary services because of cost, the average expenditure for veterinary services was reasonable ($143 per flock per year). Producers appeared to have little awareness of expected benefits from veterinary services. It was concluded that coordination of veterinary services and producer management should increase production and economic returns. Determination of cost/benefit ratios for individual and flock veterinary care would allow for formulation of sound flock health programs and would demonstrate effectiveness of such programs to producers and veterinarians.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6772619/