Prevalence of Low Virulent Footrot in Murry Region of NSW

Prevalence of Low Virulent Footrot in Murry Region of NSWProject TitleG1Pilot study on the prevalence of low irate footrot in Murry voice of NSW.G2HypothesisLow vitriolic footrot has production, economic and social impacts on affected propertiesObjectives of the studyG3G4G5The primary objective of this pilot study is to find out if low pungent footrot is seen as a problem by the farmers in the Murray Area of NSW and to what extent the affection impacts the farms economically and socially. The study also aims to determine if the affected farmers have been fitted to deal with the impacts of the disease, and the cost of implementing treatment and control methods.G8Importance of the study Ovine footrot is a clinically significant disease known to have negative public assistance impacts and economic consequences (Marshall et al., 1991, Rather et al., 2011). Virulent footrot causes severe underrunning of the hoof resulting in severe lameness in affected sheep and subsequent social a nd economic impacts (Stewart et al., 1986, Dhungyel et al., 1013). The low mortal(a) strains, however, do not tend to progress as far and in that respectfore the impacts of this form are less apparent (Stewart et al., 1986). It appears that because these less severe low virulent forms do not have as significant of an impact on the production levels of a farm or the related social and economic aspects, there has been very little research conducted on this form. The majority of literature available on footrot focuses on the virulent strains, and therefore the social and economic impacts of the low virulent forms are largely unknown.G9G10G11G12G13This project aims to address this gap in the literature and determine if low virulent footrot is a common problem faced by farmers in the area and the exact impact it has on them. Surveying farmers that have had a history of footrot on their properties impart give more insight on the costs of preventing and controlling the disease. The stud y bequeath show the impacts this disease has had on the sheep industry and whether the farmers feel that implementing treatment and control methods or undertaking an eradication arrangement is worth the cost.The study will also determine a link between footrot prevention and control methods used on different properties to the prevalence of the disease. These results will be important to the sheep industry by determining which methods have the highest level of success in controlling the disease. This information can be utilised by farmers when implementing control schemes on their properties.Experimental designThe study will involve passeling sheep farmers in the Murray area of NSW. As this is a pilot study, participating farmers will be selected based on contact with local district veterinarians and animal health officials as well as their individual willingness to participate in the survey.10 to 15 participants will be interviewed during an on-farm visit. Questions will involve the history of footrot on the property, past and present G14G15G16prevention, treatment control methods and eradication schemes, the quarantine protocols in typeset and the cost of implementing these strategies. In order to determine the social and economic impacts of the disease and also individual attitudes towards footrot, questions will also be asked about G17each farmers experience with the disease on their property.G18G19Statistical EvaluationAs the study involves surveying the participants experiences with footrot much of the entropy collected will be qualitative rather than quantitative. Where possible the data will be analysed for basic G20summary statistics and, depending on the data collected, basic linear regression analysis may be required.TimetableDateTaskFebruary 20 establish 2017Work with district vets to find participants for the studyG21G22Schedule on-farm visits to conduct the surveyG23G2415 expose 2017Research Proposal18 March 2017Finalise Survey20 March 7 April 2017Data Collection28-31 MarchHolbrook-Albury-Deniliquin farm visits1-7 AprilTelephone surveys if necessary10 April 20 April 2017Statistical evaluation20 March 18 whitethorn 2017Conference Paper Draft complete by May 181 June 2017Final Conference Paper submission5 9 June 2017 oral exam Presentation of study findingsBudgetThe main costs associated with the study are those involved with travelling to the farms to conduct on-farm visits.$500 Travel and accommodation charges for conducting the field surveyHuman Ethics approval for conducting the surveyApproval No 2016/557ReferencesDHUNGYEL, O. P., HILL, A. E., DHAND, N. K. WHITTINGTON, R. J. 2013. Comparative study of the commonly used virulence tests for laboratory diagnosis of ovine footrot caused by Dichelobacter nodosus in Australia. Veterinary Microbiology, 162, 756-760.MARSHALL, D. J., WALKER, R. I., CULLIS, B. R. LUFF, M. F. 1991. The effect of footrot on body weight and wool growth of sheep. Australian Veterinary J ournal, 68, 45-49.RATHER, M. A., WANI, S. A., HUSSAIN, I., BHAT, M. A., KABLI, Z. A. MAGRAY, S. N. 2011. Determination of prevalence and economic impact of ovine footrot in central Kashmir India with isolation and molecular characterization of Dichelobacter nodosus. Anaerobe, 17, 73-77.STEWART, D. J., PETERSON, J. E., VAUGHAN, J. A., CLARK, B. L., EMERY, D. L., CALDWELL, J. N. KORTT, A. A. 1986. The pathogenicity and cultural characteristics of virulent, intermediate and benign strains of Bacteroides nodosus causing ovine foot-rot. Australian Veterinary Journal, 63, 317-2G1Inserted TG2DeletedtG3Inserted fG4DeletedfG5DeletedrG6Inserted ryG7Inserted priG8DeletedinG9Inserted aG10Inserted ,G11Inserted rG12DeletedrG13DeletedmainsG14Inserted wG15Inserted iG16Inserted inteG17Inserted ,G18DeletedsuG19DeletedyG20Inserted G21Inserted theG22Deleted.G23Inserted theG24Deleted.