Farm Animals

Feedlot Cattle Respiratory Disease

Bovine respiratory disease is the most significant welfare and economic problem in beef feedlots, affecting millions of cattle annually.

Key Facts

BRD causes more economic loss than any other US cattle disease
Up to 15% of feedlot cattle develop respiratory disease requiring treatment
Stress from transport, commingling, and feedlot conditions triggers disease outbreaks
Mortality and suffering represent major welfare failures in the system

Welfare Considerations

Bovine respiratory disease is in large part a product of the feedlot system itself. Transport stress, commingling of animals from multiple sources, dietary changes, and high stocking densities all suppress immunity and facilitate viral and bacterial infection. The condition causes fever, difficulty breathing, pleurisy, and death — prolonged and painful welfare failures.

What You Can Do

Choose pasture-raised beef to avoid feedlot-associated welfare problems
Advocate for reduced transport stress protocols in livestock regulations
Support research into improved BRD prevention and early detection
Reduce beef consumption given the welfare costs of intensive production