Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in beef cattle, particularly in feedlot and post-weaning settings. Prevention through management and vaccination is far more welfare-positive than treatment.
BRD welfare represents a major but often invisible suffering burden in beef cattle production. Pneumonia causes fever, pain, reduced feed intake, and difficulty breathing - a cluster of serious welfare harms. Early detection is welfare-critical but challenging in large feedlot pens without individual monitoring. Precision livestock technologies (temperature boluses, accelerometers, and behavioral monitoring AI) enable earlier detection and treatment. Prevention through stress reduction at weaning and transport, combined with appropriate vaccination, is more welfare-positive than relying on treatment of established disease. Antibiotic use for BRD treatment is also a public health concern, creating additional incentive for preventive management.