Prevention and Control of Bovine Respiratory Disease

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) constitutes one of the key health issues and most costly problems occurring in cattle in the U.S and all part of the world. Increased morbidity and mortality, decreased weight gains, decreased feed utilization, decrease carcass quality and increased prophylaxis and therapy lead to enormous economic losses. This is a disease complex that involves multiple microbial pathogens (viruses and bacteria), environmental and host predisposing risk factors. Increasing beef and dairy production in all part of the world will benefit from improved prevention and control of BRD. The use of management strategies, such as preconditioning programs, has a significant potential to decrease BRD cases and overall negative impact. Other programs, such as metaphylaxis, are useful in situations where calves entering a feedlot are at "high risk" for developing BRD. The cattle health industry should continue to identify means of BRD control though the development and use of new technologies with the aim of enhancing resistance, reducing risk factors and decreasing pathogen exposure.