Farm Animals

Cattle BRD Prevention and Antibiotic Stewardship

Bovine respiratory disease is the leading cause of morbidity in beef cattle, and reducing its incidence is both a welfare priority and an antibiotic stewardship imperative.

Key Facts

BRD causes an estimated $1 billion annual losses in the US beef industry alone
Stress from weaning, transport and comingling are major predisposing factors
Metaphylactic antibiotic treatment of high-risk groups reduces BRD but drives AMR
Vaccination, low-stress weaning and adequate rest reduce BRD incidence significantly
Electronic early detection systems using rumination and temperature sensors identify sick cattle faster

Welfare Considerations

BRD causes significant suffering in millions of cattle annually. Preventing disease through management reduces suffering and antibiotic dependence simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Support farms investing in low-stress weaning and comingling protocols
Advocate for adoption of precision livestock technology for early BRD detection
Choose beef from farms with documented health planning and antibiotic stewardship