2.4 What are the costs of poor performance?

Generally, there are a number of models applied to describe the complex economic relationships on a farm. All economic models follow the same basic principle – the comparison of input costs and financial returns. In the case of Ileitis, both costs and sales are affected by the disease. To reveal the true impact of the disease, only such costs and sales should be considered which are directly related to the disease and which can be compared between different farms.

In fattening pigs with clinical or subclinical Ileitis, the costs for piglets, feed and veterinary interventions are directly influenced by the reduced daily weight gain, poor feed conversion and often higher mortality (Figure 2.4 a).

Figure 2.4 a
Relationship between costs and performance traits influenced by disease.