Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Respiratory Disease Prevention

Prevention of bovine respiratory disease, one of the most important welfare and production health challenges in beef and dairy cattle.

Key Facts

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most costly health condition in beef cattle
Multiple pathogens including Mannheimia and Pasteurella cause BRD
Stress at weaning, mixing, and transport increases BRD susceptibility
Vaccination programmes significantly reduce BRD incidence and welfare harm
Early detection using clinical signs or digital monitoring improves treatment outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Bovine respiratory disease causes significant welfare harm through fever, painful breathing, and systemic illness. Cattle with BRD experience chronic discomfort that affects behaviour and productivity. Prevention through stress reduction, vaccination, and biosecurity combined with early detection and treatment provides the best welfare outcomes and reduces the need for antibiotic intervention.

What You Can Do

Support farms with proactive BRD prevention and monitoring programmes
Advocate for BRD management protocols to be included in beef welfare standards
Engage with research on non-antibiotic BRD prevention strategies