Results of the first nationwide survey into the costs of footrot and the impact of the Lincoln University developed Footrot Gene-Marker Test (FGMT), show potential savings of millions of dollars to New Zealand.
The Agribusiness & Economics Research Unit, Lincoln University (AERU) surveyed 881 merino and mid-micron farmers; interviewed a small sample of ram breeders and also studied two commercial merino farms in greater depth. These commercial merino farms were chosen because they were already benefiting from the use of the FGMT in the three years from when it was released commercially.
This survey showed both the extent of the footrot problem and its impact on the New Zealand economy, with 65 percent of predominantly merino properties and 55 percent of predominantly mid-micron farmers reporting footrot in their stock at some time, with about a third of each group reporting having it in all recent seasons.
“The good news is that on properties that have adopted the FGMT technology, it has resulted in prevention and control costs being reduced by 50 percent on merino properties and 70 percent on mid-micron properties,” said Project Manager, Mr John Bates.
“This amounts to an estimated $3 - $6 million per annum savings to the fine wool and mid-micron industries.”
“While we already had anecdotal evidence of the impact of this technology on costs, we are delighted with the size of the reduction. As well as the economic benefits, there are also other beneficial effects, with large reductions in the use of chemicals, vaccines and antibiotics.”
Mr Bates said that the total annual costs of footrot estimated by this study must be regarded as conservative or "bottom- line" estimates only, because these costs have already been reduced on some of the worst affected farms by the implementation of the FGMT programme.
FGMT Director, Dr Jon Hickford, of Lincoln University, said that the test for footrot tolerance has been made available preferentially to ram breeders, as this is the quickest way to ensure that the genetic benefits of the technology can be transferred into the flocks while maintaining the genetic merit of sheep.
”In general, the survey showed that those farmers who have experienced a reduction in the cost of footrot through using the FGM Test, rank footrot tolerance more highly as a ram selection criterion, require better FGMT scores in purchased rams, have been involved in the programme longer and had higher costs associated with footrot at the outset,” said Dr Hickford
The Footrot Gene-Marker Test (FGMT) programme has been funded by contributions
from the Sustainable Farming Fund, Merino Inc. and Mid- Micron Wool of NZ.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Janette Busch, Technical Writer
Lincoln University, Canterbury
Tel: 64 3 325 2811 ext 8114
Email: Janette Busch