The transition from cow-calf operations to backgrounding or stocker systems is a high-risk welfare period for beef cattle, involving multiple simultaneous stressors that increase disease susceptibility and distress.
Transition stress is a major and preventable welfare problem in beef production. The convergence of weaning stress, transport stress, unfamiliar social grouping, new environments, and immune challenge from commingled calves creates a perfect storm for disease. Bovine respiratory disease is painful, difficult to treat effectively once established, and a primary cause of suffering and death. Preconditioning — weaning and vaccinating calves on the farm of origin before sale — dramatically reduces disease burden and associated welfare harm. The economic barriers to preconditioning adoption, including the cost of holding calves through the post-weaning stress period, can be addressed through premium markets that reward producers for reduced buyer health risk.