ADM Lab Surveys
Are You a Livestock Owner in the US?
If so, then we need your help to protect America's livestock industry from an accidental or terrorist-caused outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). As you may know, FMD is a highly contagious disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including pigs, cattle, sheep, and goats. The virus that causes the disease can spread rapidly over large distances, mainly from animal-to-animal contact or from contact with other contaminated sources. While the U.S. is currently free from this disease, the risk of introduction is real; and, FMD would have devastating consequences for our animal populations and our economy. Economic losses from the 2001 FMD epidemic in the United Kingdom exceeded $15 billion, and more then 6 million animals were slaughtered.
Our research uses computer models to simulate how FMD might spread if an outbreak were to occur on American soil. Currently we can only estimate what would happen if FMD were introduced in California. However, our goal is to expand our model to encompass the entire United States. Understanding how FMD might spread among our country's diverse animal populations will allow us to target specific strategies for prevention and control of the disease epidemics. The keys to success for predicting when and where FMD might appear, and for preventing and controlling spread, are to have complete and accurate information on contact between susceptible animals or herds.
This is where we need your help. At the bottom of this page, you will find the link to our online survey where you are asked to provide information about your livestock practices. All responses will be strictly confidential and used for research and modeling purposes ONLY. Answering the questions provided should take only 15-20 minutes of your time and will provide valuable information in our efforts to assess the risk and to help protect America's livestock populations and producers.
Thank you in advance for your participation in this survey. Please send other livestock producers and managers that you know to this site so that they can also participate. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
