author(s)
S Senthil Kumar and A Serma Saravana Pandian

abstract
The study was conducted to estimate economic losses arising due to Bluetongue at farm level. Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu state, the southernmost state of Indian sub-continent, was purposively selected for the present study. For the study, 300 sheep farms affected by Bluetongue disease were selected through multistage random sampling technique. Out of 19 blocks of the study area, 6 blocks Viz., Manur, Alangulam, Ambasamuthram, Melaneelithanallur, Nanguneri, Tenkasi were selected randomly. Five villages were selected from each block and ten sheep farmers from each village. The study is based on the data pertaining to production loss and costs incurred collected through personal interview method. The results of economic losses due to disease showed that average annual loss due to Bluetongue disease was Rs.29117, Rs.57258, and Rs.105141 in small, medium and large farms respectively. The overall loss per animal was Rs.397.63. The loss due to mortality, loss in market value, veterinary expenses and vaccination cost was Rs.224.38, Rs.169.75, Rs.152 and Rs.1.98 respectively. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the variables, flock size, number of days of illness, system of rearing, vaccination status and the additional veterinary care were found to be significantly associated with the economic loss due to the disease.