Pre-Conference Short Courses

Course 1:

Introduction to the Economics of Animal Health

2-Day Training Course | August 25-26, 2026

No Prior Economics Knowledge Required Veterinarians Researchers Policymakers Students

This two-day training provides a clear, practice-oriented introduction to the economics of animal health. It is aimed at everyone who wants to learn how decision-making regarding livestock health management can be improved by using economics.

The course will be highly interactive and allows for the integration of participants' own experience through group work. Following this course allows you to better understand economic research on animal health and is a perfect preparation to attend the ISESSAH conference as well as to collaborate with animal health economists.

Topics Covered

Economic reasoning to support animal health decisions
The basis of utility theory and micro-economic reasoning
Economics of interventions at various levels
Partial budgeting techniques
The basis of simulation modelling and stochastic models
Outlook on AI and machine learning in modelling

Course 2:

Quantitative Methods in Animal Health Economics

2-Day Training Course | August 25-26, 2026

Some Experience Required Scholars Researchers

This course is aimed at scholars who want to learn more about quantitative methods that are often used in animal health economics. We require that you have some experience with the field.

Four quantitative methods will be explained and illustrated by real-world examples. This course balances the mathematical and economic foundations of methods in combination with real-world examples in the field of animal health decision making. After this course, you will have a better understanding of these methods and it will allow you to start working with them under the supervision of an animal health economist.

Methods Covered

Stochastic simulation modelling with SimHerd application
Economic choice-based experiments and conjoint analysis
Principles of econometrics and production economics
Data envelopment analysis (DEA)
Micro-economic foundations of partial equilibrium modelling
Application of partial equilibrium modelling

Course Instructors

Learn from internationally renowned experts in Animal Health Economics

Course Leader

Prof. Henk Hogeveen

Business Economics Group, Wageningen University and Research (WUR) & Honorary Professor, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

Prof. Jarkko Niemi

Business Economics Group, Natural Resources Institute Finland

Prof. Soren Ostergaard

Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark

Assoc. Prof. Wilma Steeneveld

Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, the Netherlands

Assoc. Prof. Mariska van der Voort

Business Economics Group, Wageningen University and Research (WUR), the Netherlands

Dr. Ahmed Ferchiou

VetEconomics Group, National Veterinary School Toulouse (ENVT), France

The extensive research and teaching experience of this group in the field of animal health economics will guarantee courses that combine hands-on experience with theoretical knowledge on the topics.

Practical Information

Dates

August 25-26, 2026
(Before ISESSAH Conference)

Location

The Sukosol Hotel
Bangkok, Thailand

Group Size

10-25 participants
per course

Included

Coffee breaks & Lunch
Course materials

Networking Event

The course programs conclude with an end-of-course cocktail networking event on the evening of 26 August, offering participants a relaxed space to connect with instructors and colleagues before the main conference begins.