The research found high levels of concern about many of the diseases, with bovine respiratory disease, hoof-and-mouth disease, and bovine RSV among the top concerns, with 77%, 74%, and 73% of respondents expressing worry, respectively, and more than half of producers indicated concern about the eight major diseases listed.
Because livestock diseases have differential impacts depending on species, the report also examines livestock producers’ concerns by type of livestock raised to measure concern among producers whose animals were most likely to be impacted. For example, nearly all swine producers were concerned about PRRS and swine influenza, and 81% of poultry producers were at least somewhat concerned with avian influenza.
While results again showed significant levels of concern, many farmers were not concerned. For example, 22% of cow-calf producers and 16% of fed cattle producers selected either “not concerned” or “don’t know” for bovine RSV, a major cattle disease prevalent in Iowa. Similarly, one-third of cow-calf producers and 29% of fed cattle producers selected either “not concerned” or “don’t know” for Johne’s disease.
The survey also posed questions about monitoring and management challenges. About 58% agreed that current monitoring and management strategies are effective at limiting disease outbreaks, and 53% agreed that they have sufficient access to monitoring and mitigation resources. That said, 33% and 39% selected the uncertain category for those two items, respectively, and 9% disagreed with both. This suggests that close to half of livestock producers lack confidence and capacity to effectively manage disease.
“On the whole, the results show that many producers feel that the systems in place are working and they have the resources they need to manage disease and limit the spread of outbreaks,” said J. Arbuckle, extension sociologist and report co-author. “However, the lack of concern about some major diseases and level of uncertainty about management capacity point to a need for ongoing education and support to help farmers effectively manage livestock disease.”
About the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll
The Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll is an annual survey conducted by Iowa State University Extension Sociology. Initiated in 1982, the poll is the longest-running survey of its kind and works to inform local, state and national decision-making and improve extension and outreach programs. All reports are available on the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll web page.
Source : iastate.edu