Awareness and perceived value of economic information in controlling somatic cell count
- M. A. P. M. van Asseldonk, MSc, PhD1,
- R. J. Renes2,
- T. J. G. M. Lam3 and
- H. Hogeveen4
- 1 Institute for Risk Management in Agriculture and Agricultural Economics Research Institute, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 8130, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands
- 2 Chair group Communication Management, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands
- 3 Dutch Udder Health Centre (UGCN), PO Box 2030, 7420 AA Deventer, The Netherlands
- 4 Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, PO Box 80151, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands
- E-mail for correspondence: marcel.vanasseldonk{at}wur.nl
Abstract
A survey of dairy farmers assessed whether they were aware of the potential production and economic benefits of adopting and implementing efficient practices to control somatic cell count (SCC), and whether providing them with additional information on projected economic losses on a regular basis might motivate them to implement enhanced control programmes. In-depth interviews revealed that the majority of the dairy farmers perceived cow-specific and herd-specific projected losses due to elevated SCCs, as not very relevant to them. Farmers considered that SCC was already monitored regularly at individual cow level, which provided them with adequate information to support decision-making. The farmers justified their actions with regard to SCC control in terms of their intention to manage the problem, and their belief in whether their efforts would be successful. Actions were rationalised in a specific context comprising the intertwined notions of intentions and efficacy beliefs.
- British Veterinary Association. All rights reserved.
