Bovine respiratory disease is the costliest cattle disease globally. Advanced prevention and treatment approaches significantly improve both welfare outcomes and farm economics.
BRD causes significant suffering including fever, laboured breathing, lethargy and depression in affected cattle. Animals often endure disease for extended periods before detection in large feedlots. Early intervention is critical: calves detected and treated within 24 hours of first symptoms have substantially better welfare and recovery outcomes. Chronic BRD cases develop permanent lung scarring and reduced quality of life even after apparent recovery. Reducing the stressors that trigger BRD — particularly transport stress and sudden social regrouping — is the most effective welfare intervention. Electronic monitoring systems that detect temperature spikes or coughing allow earlier treatment than visual observation alone.