Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most economically costly and welfare-significant disease in beef cattle production, particularly in feedlot systems.
BRD causes substantial suffering in millions of cattle annually. Pneumonia pain, fever, and respiratory distress combine with the underlying stress of transport and novel environments. The feedlot model — where cattle from diverse sources are suddenly commingled after long transport — creates ideal conditions for respiratory disease spread. Prevention through vaccination, metaphylaxis (targeted preventive antibiotics), stress reduction during transport, and improved commingling management reduces disease burden meaningfully. Early detection and treatment with appropriate antibiotics and anti-inflammatory therapy is critical to preventing chronic lung damage and chronic welfare compromise.