What economic problem does atrophic rhinitis cause?

Atrophic rhinitis is a condition affecting pigs that results in the inflammation and atrophy of the nasal turbinates, which can lead to significant respiratory issues. This disease can negatively impact the animal's ability to efficiently convert feed into body weight, which is essential for the economic viability of pig farming. When feed conversion is poor, more feed needs to be consumed to achieve the same weight gain, leading to higher feed costs and reduced profitability.

Poor feed conversion means that animals are not utilizing their feed efficiently, which can be directly linked to the health challenges posed by atrophic rhinitis. When swine struggle to process feed effectively due to respiratory distress or other related complications, farmers may face increased operational expenses as they are unable to maximize growth from their feed inputs. Thus, the economic problem created by atrophic rhinitis primarily manifests in poor feed conversion rates, leading to diminished returns for the producer.