Case report

Analysis of risk factors and production effects following an outbreak of bovine respiratory disease in Stocker cattle

Authors

  • Kristina J. Hubbard College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
  • Amelia R. Woolums College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
  • Brandi B. Karisch Department of Animal and Dairy Science, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
  • John R. Blanton Department of Animal and Dairy Science, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
  • William B. Epperson College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
  • David R. Smith College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol52no2p146-153

Keywords:

BRD, stocker cattle, outbreak investigation

Abstract

Risk factors and production losses are reported for an outbreak of bovine respiratory disease (BRD] in stocker cattle in a southeastern US grass-based system. Beef calves purchased from livestock auctions arrived in 2 groups 1 week apart (n=133 and 77, respectively]. Cattle were mass- medicated with antibiotics and vaccinated 3 days after arrival, then commingled on ryegrass pasture. A daily BRD score (0-4] based on presence and severity of clinical signs was used to determine antibiotic treatment eligibility over the 150-day stocker phase. BRD morbidity and mortality were 61.9% and 12.9%, respectively. Cattle in arrival group 2 had a greater incidence density of BRD (rate ratio = 1.54,95% Cl: 1.07,2.22]. Odds for death were 5.0 times greater for cattle in arrival group 2 (95% Cl: 2.0,12.2] and 42.5 times greater for cattle diagnosed with BRD (95% Cl: 2.5,713.2]. Average daily gain was decreased 0.15 lb/day (0.07 kg/day] in cattle with BRD. Including death loss, calves with BRD gained an average of 64.1 lb (29.1 kg] less than unaffected calves over the stocker phase. Despite metaphylaxis and prompt identification of sick cattle, this BRD outbreak resulted in high morbidity, mortality, and production loss in a stocker cattle system.

Cover image of Volume 52, No. 2 of the Bovine Practitioner: a vintage painting of a white cow gazing at the viewer that fades at the edges into the black background. Image courtesy of the Vintage Barn Market in Blissfield, Michigan.

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Published

2018-06-01

How to Cite

Hubbard, K. J., Woolums, A. R., Karisch, B. B., Blanton, J. R., Epperson, W. B., & Smith, D. R. (2018). Case report: Analysis of risk factors and production effects following an outbreak of bovine respiratory disease in Stocker cattle. The Bovine Practitioner, 52(2), 146–153. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol52no2p146-153

Issue

Vol. 52, No. 2 (2018 Summer)

Section

Articles

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