Application: Livestock Transfer Risks

An agent-based epidemiological model of animal disease propagation within the beef and dairy industries was developed in context of a consortium of interested parties including the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Extension Service, the New Mexico Livestock Board (NMLB), ranchers representing the beef industry, and farmers representing the dairy industry. The model requires a thorough understanding of the life cycles for commodity livestock, especially the transportation and mixing of present commercial production. The model allows us to better understand how inter-operation transfer of livestock can impact the likelihood, magnitude, and geographic dispersal of infectious disease outbreaks. This will aid us in assessing the cost-effectiveness of current and proposed prevention, monitoring and mitigation strategies.

Background

Publications

• Animal Disease Control Meeting, Dubai, UAE, February 2013

  • (PDF) Modeling Animal Movement to Help Control PPR, Walt Beyeler, Patrick Finley, Chrysm Watson Ross, William Fogleman

  • (PPTX) Modeling Animal Movement to Help Control PPR, Walt Beyeler, Patrick Finley, Chrysm Watson Ross, William Fogleman

• 29th International Conference of the System Dynamics Society, July 2011, Washington, DC

• Development of an Agent-Based Epidemiological Model of Beef Cattle, Chrysm Watson Ross, Robert J. Glass, John R. Harger, Stephen H. Conrad, Aldo A. Zagonel, Walt Beyeler, Melissa Finley