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ANIMAL SCIENCE
8822-B
CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT
OF VARIOUS ANIMAL DISEASES
INTRODUCTION
It is impossible to accurately estimate all the losses caused
by livestock diseases, but the United States Department
of Agriculture estimates that losses caused by mortality,
reduced productivity, lower fertility, condemned prod-
ucts, and restricted access to potential markets exceed
17.5 billion dollars annually in the United States. Those
losses represent almost 17% of the production costs as-
sociated with the livestock industry.
Livestock production is an integral part of the way-of-life for the people of the world. Many farmers and
ranchers depend upon livestock production for their livelihoods. Consumers expect adequate supplies of
meat at economical prices. With livestock mismanagement and spread of diseases*, we are all affected.
