Farm Animal Welfare

Farmed Cattle Respiratory Bovine Disease

Bovine respiratory disease is the most costly and common health problem in the beef industry, causing significant suffering in feedlot cattle.

Key Facts

BRD accounts for over 75 percent of feedlot illness and 50 percent of deaths
Stress from transportation and mixing triggers disease outbreaks
Pathogens including Mannheimia and Pasteurella become opportunistic under stress
Early detection and treatment significantly reduce severity and mortality

Welfare Considerations

BRD causes fever, labored breathing, lethargy, and severe respiratory distress. Cattle with untreated BRD experience significant pain and breathlessness that persists for days or weeks. The disease is largely driven by stress from transport and mixing of unfamiliar animals, meaning management practices that reduce stress are the most effective welfare intervention available.

What You Can Do

Support beef from producers with low BRD mortality rates
Advocate for low-stress handling certification requirements
Encourage investment in better disease detection technology
Reduce beef consumption or choose grass-fed alternatives with lower feedlot BRD risk