Benefit/cost aspects on voluntary control of bovine leukosis.

An organized voluntary control of bovine leukosis, motivated by export interests, has existed in Sweden since 1969. Owing to reduced prospects for export, the economic justification for the control has been questioned. The present study comprises programs and economical calculations for a twenty-year period and considering three different modes of action, namely A. Continued organized control. B. Discarding of all precautionary measures. C. Private voluntary control based on herd examination and certain precautions in restocking routines. Cost/benefit ratios, net present value (NPV), and effective interest rate (IRR) have been calculated. Profitability throughout was found to be worst in alternative A, similar in the B and C alternatives at a low export rate, and best in alternative C in the case where exports comprise at least 60 animals per year.