Farm Animals

Cattle Respiratory Disease BRD Welfare

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is the most economically significant disease of beef cattle and a major welfare concern, causing painful pneumonia in young stock.

Key Facts

BRD causes an estimated $3 billion in annual losses in US beef alone
Young cattle 6-12 months old are most vulnerable, particularly after weaning and transport
Pathogens including BRSV, BHV-1, BVDV, and Mannheimia haemolytica interact in BRD
Metaphylactic antibiotic treatment at risk events reduces incidence but raises AMR concerns
Vaccines provide partial but meaningful protection when given before risk events

Welfare Considerations

BRD causes severe respiratory distress and often goes untreated in large-scale systems. Early detection and treatment prevents prolonged suffering.

What You Can Do

Implement vaccination protocols for BRD pathogens before risk periods
Train staff in BRD detection using standardised clinical scoring
Treat affected animals promptly with appropriate antibiotics under vet supervision
Reduce stress at weaning and transport to lower BRD susceptibility