Bovine respiratory disease is the most costly and welfare-significant disease in beef and dairy cattle, causing substantial suffering and mortality. Vaccination programs are among the most effective preventive welfare interventions available to producers.
BRD causes fever, laboured breathing, nasal discharge, and significant pain and lethargy. Subclinical disease impairs welfare without obvious signs, reducing feed intake and immune function. Early and accurate detection using pen-rider observation and automated monitoring technologies enables timely treatment that reduces the duration and intensity of suffering. Vaccination programs targeting the primary viral and bacterial pathogens, administered before stress events, significantly reduce disease incidence. Improving transition management — reducing transport duration, providing adequate rest, water, and high-quality feed on arrival — reduces the immunosuppressive stress that makes cattle susceptible. Welfare-focused BRD management aligns with both ethical responsibilities and economic incentives.