Investigation of Economic Losses of Foot and Mouth Disease in Dairy Farms of West Azerbaijan Province in the Period of 2017-2018

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is the most significant livestock disease in the world and can cause great economic losses to the population of domestic ruminants. This study aims to investigate the economic impacts of FMD on dairy farms in West Azerbaijan province during the period of 2017-18.

Employing a questionnaire survey, this study covered all industrial dairy farms affected by the disease in eight units during the specified period. The results underwent descriptive analysis using Excel software version 2013 and SPSS version 18.

Absolute (in million Rials) and relative (percent) losses attributable to FMD were categorized as follows: mortality losses amounted to 2,170 million Rials (60.6%), distress sale of livestock reached 713 million Rials (19.9%), treatment incurred 288.65 million Rials (8.1%), short-term reduction of milk production accounted for 193.35 million Rials (5.4%), extra labor costs totaled 152.4 million Rials (4.3%), abortion amounted to 35 million Rials (1%), and sampling costs were 32 million Rials (0.9%). The total losses from FMD in dairy industrial farms were estimated at 3584.4 million Rials, equivalent to 38,758 dollars at the average exchange rate of one dollar to 92,487 Rials in 2018.

The substantial investment in dairy farms amplifies the economic impact of FMD, resulting in prolonged recovery periods and contributing to a decline in livestock and dairy production in the province and the country.