Bovine respiratory disease complex is the leading cause of mortality in feedlot cattle, causing significant suffering that is largely preventable through improved management.
Bovine respiratory disease causes significant suffering including fever, difficulty breathing, and progressive pneumonia that can lead to chronic disease or death. The disease is largely driven by stressful transport and feedlot entry management. Improving transition management, reducing transport stress, and ensuring adequate nutrition reduces BRD incidence and associated suffering more sustainably than preventive antibiotics.