Factors Influencing Bovine Respiratory Disease in Stocker and Feeder Cattle

Abstract

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) continues to be the major health problem of stocker and feeder cattle, despite many years of research and technological advances. Animal husbandry practices that reduce stress have long been shown to reduce BRD morbidity, such as reducing commingling, weaning/preconditioning, performing routine surgeries early in life, nutritional management, and biosecurity. These management practices complement vaccination programs by reducing stress, and ultimately morbidity rates.

This paper is not an in-depth review of management practices that influence morbidity, but rather cites several examples of how animal husbandry practices can reduce stress and associated morbidity rates.