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Cost-Effectiveness of Acaricide Application Methods against Heartwater Disease in South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Mario J. J. van den Heever

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • Willem A. Lombard

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • Yonas T. Bahta

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • Frikkie A. Maré

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

Abstract

In an economic sense, heartwater disease is the most important tick-borne disease faced by South African livestock farmers. Methods to control the disease vary among farmers, and the preferred method depends on the prevalence of the disease in a specific area. The cost-effectiveness of different acaricide prevention methods against heartwater disease has not yet been determined amongst South African livestock producers. The study’s objective was to determine the cost-effectiveness of acaricide prevention methods used against heartwater disease in South Africa. Data used for this study were collected through a survey and structured questionnaires from 272 commercial livestock farmers in South Africa. Cost-effectiveness analyses were done on the spray, plunge, and pour-on acaricide application methods. For sheep and cattle, the plunge method proved to be the most cost-effective in all provinces of South Africa. In goats, pour-on acaricide application was the most cost-effective. The study recommends that extension activities provide farmers with information with which to choose the most appropriate acaricide application for the effective and sustainable control of heartwater disease.

Suggested Citation

  • Mario J. J. van den Heever & Willem A. Lombard & Yonas T. Bahta & Frikkie A. Maré, 2023. "Cost-Effectiveness of Acaricide Application Methods against Heartwater Disease in South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-11, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:3:p:568-:d:1081289
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rendani Randela, 2005. "Cost-benefit analysis of a disease control programme with special reference to ticks and tick-borne diseases in the former Venda region," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(4), pages 515-528.
    2. Romain Espinosa & Damian Tago & Nicolas Treich, 2020. "Infectious Diseases and Meat Production," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 76(4), pages 1019-1044, August.
    3. Richard Bennett, 2003. "The ‘Direct Costs’of Livestock Disease: The Development of a System of Models for the Analysis of 30 Endemic Livestock Diseases in Great Britain," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(1), pages 55-71, March.
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