Case Study: Kansas State University achieves improved beef-cattle biosecurity and reduced disease risk with Palisade's @RISK

Kansas State University Utilizes @RISK to Aid in Biosecurity for Beef Cattle

Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine confronted the challenge of preventing introduction of infectious diseases (notably Bovine Viral Diarrhea) into beef cow‑calf herds—an industry problem that contributes an estimated $400–$500 million in losses annually. To evaluate biologically and economically valuable biosecurity practices, KSU used Palisade’s @RISK to account for variability and uncertainty across the complex production system and imported‑animal risks.

Using Palisade’s @RISK, Dr. Michael Sanderson and his team developed probabilistic models of disease introduction, disease impacts (morbidity, mortality, abortion, weight loss), and intervention effectiveness, aggregated over one‑ and ten‑year horizons. The Palisade-powered analysis produced full outcome probability distributions, sensitivity analyses, and cost‑exceedance probabilities, enabling Kansas State University to identify and prioritize optimal management strategies that lower biological and economic risk and improve disease controls.

Kansas State University

Michael Sanderson

Professor of Beef Production And Epidemiology