Economic cost-benefit analysis of the use of bacitracin methylene disalicylate in broilers affected with necrotic enteritis

Abstract

SUMMARY Theflock-leveleconomicimpactassociatedwithnecroticenteritis(NE)inbroilerproduction was estimated in flocks that were administered 55 ppm bacitracin compared to flocks that were not given prophylactic medication. Current production parameters and economic values available for the United States were used in a cost-benefit evaluation to determine the return on investment (ROI) in prophylactic use of BMD. Estimates were expressed in US dollars from the perspective of poultry producers. Costs to the producer, including feed and medication, were compared with benefits accrued from reduced mortality rates in treated flocks and improved weight gain. A sensitivity analysis evaluated the ROI from BMD use under varying mortality rates (one to 20%) and target weights (4.63 to 7.94 lb). The average flock-level ROI in BMD was $4.51, and sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the ROI ranged from $2.28 to 7.24 depending on NE morbidity rate and target weight. The average return in BMD per lb produced was c /1.5, and sensitivity analyses demonstrated that return ranged from c /0.8 to 2.1 depending on NE morbidity rate and target weight. These analyses demonstrated that a positive ROI can be realized in flocks at risk for NE through the prophylactic use of BMD in broiler production.