Farm Animals

Cattle Welfare and Respiratory Disease Prevention

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the leading cause of cattle mortality and morbidity, causing significant welfare harm that is largely preventable.

Key Facts

BRD accounts for over 70% of cattle health treatments in feedlot systems
BRD causes fever, laboured breathing, and appetite loss lasting days to weeks
Early detection using automated temperature and activity monitoring reduces mortality by 30%
Vaccination protocols against BVD, IBR, and Pasteurella significantly reduce BRD incidence
Stress from weaning and transport is the primary trigger for BRD outbreaks

Welfare Considerations

BRD causes significant, often prolonged suffering. Stress reduction, vaccination, and early detection are achievable interventions that dramatically reduce this welfare burden.

What You Can Do

Advocate for BRD prevention protocols in cattle welfare standards
Support early detection technology adoption in cattle farming
Choose beef from farms with documented disease prevention programs