Impact of bovine respiratory disease in U.S. beef cattle.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most common and costly diseases of beef cattle. Much research has been conducted to understand prevention, treatment, and economic impacts of this syndrome. Impacts from BRD occur in multiple phases of the beef industry including both pre- and post-weaned calves. This disease causes negative impacts due to production losses, treatment costs, and cattle mortality. The large scope of BRD impacts merits further research on effective prevention and intervention technologies to limit deleterious impacts to the cattle industry.

The Effect of Market Forces on Bovine Respiratory Disease.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a persistent negative economic impact on beef and dairy industries and the inability to show any progress in controlling BRD is a source of increasing frustration among animal health professionals and the industry. The complex economic structure of the cattle industry leads to market failures in which cow-calf producers do not have sufficient economic incentive to invest in improved BRD control. This leads to higher costs for stocker and feedlot sectors. An industry-wide comprehensive effort is needed to coordinate and motivate enhanced BRD control focusing on producing healthy calves with less morbidity rather than treatment.

An evaluation of the economic effects of bovine respiratory disease on animal performance, carcass traits, and economic outcomes in feedlot cattle defined using four BRD diagnosis methods.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) causes significant economic losses to the feedlot industry due to decreased production and increased costs associated with treatment. This study aimed to assess the impacts of BRD on performance, carcass traits, and economic outcomes defined using four BRD diagnosis methods: number of BRD treatments an animal received, pleural lesions at slaughter, lung lesions at slaughter, and clinical BRD status defined using both treatment records and lung and pleural lesions. Crossbred steers (n = 898), with an initial body weight of 432 kg (± SD 51), were followed from feedlot entry to slaughter. Veterinary treatment records were collected and lungs scored at slaughter for lesions indicative of BRD. There was an 18% morbidity rate and a 2.1% BRD mortality rate, with an average net loss of AUD$1,647.53 per BRD mortality. Animals treated ≥3 times for BRD had 39.6 kg lighter carcasses at slaughter and returned an average of AUD$384.97 less compared to animals never treated for BRD (P < 0.001). Animals with severe lung lesions at slaughter grew 0.3 kg/d less, had 14.3 kg lighter carcasses at slaughter, and returned AUD$91.50 less than animals with no lung lesions (P < 0.001). Animals with subclinical and clinical BRD had 16.0 kg and 24.1 kg lighter carcasses, respectively, and returned AUD$67.10 and AUD$213.90 less at slaughter, respectively, compared to healthy animals that were never treated with no lesions (P < 0.001). The severity of BRD based on the number of treatments an animal received and the severity of lung and pleural lesions reduced animal performance, carcass weight and quality, and economic returns. Subclinical BRD reduced animal performance and economic returns compared to healthy animals; however, subclinical animals still had greater performance than animals with clinical BRD. This information can be used to plan for strategic investments aimed at reducing the impacts of BRD in feedlot cattle such as improved detection methods for subclinical animals with lesions at slaughter and BRD treatment protocols.

Economics of respiratory disease in dairy replacement heifers.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a frequent disease concern in dairy cattle and is most commonly diagnosed in young dairy heifers. The impact of BRD is highly variable, depending on the accuracy and completeness of detection, effectiveness of treatment, and on-farm culling practices. Consequences include decreased rate of weight gain, a higher culling risk either as heifers or as cows, delayed age at first service, delayed age at first calving, and in some cases, lower future milk production. In this data set of 104,100 dairy replacement heifers from across the USA, 36.6% had one or more cases diagnosed within the first 120 days of age with the highest risk of new cases occurring prior to weaning. Comparison of the raising cost for heifers with BRD and those without a recorded history of BRD resulted in an estimated cost per incident case occurring in the first 120 days of age of $252 or $282, depending upon whether anticipated future milk production differences were considered or not. Current market conditions contributed to a cost estimate that is significantly higher than previously published estimates, driven in part by the losses associated with selective culling of a subset of heifers that experienced BRD.

Economic considerations of enhanced BRD control.

Cattle producers and animal health professionals are increasingly frustrated by the inability to reduce the impacts of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Improved BRD control is difficult due to the complex nature of the disease; the complexity of cattle industry structure and function; and the imbalance of economic incentives for enhanced BRD control. Success in improving BRD control will depend on an industry-wide comprehensive effort to address lifetime animal health issues as well as correcting or offsetting imbalances in economic benefits and costs for enhanced animal health management across cattle production sectors.

Cost of bovine respiratory disease in preweaned calves on US beef cow-calf operations (2011-2015).

OBJECTIVE To develop a partial budget analysis of direct costs associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in preweaned calves on US beef cow-calf operations and identify factors that strongly influence those costs. DESIGN Risk analysis model. ANIMALS US preweaned beef calf inventory from 2011 through 2015. PROCEDURES A stochastic simulation model was developed by use of a computer spreadsheet and add-in software. Input data were obtained from the USDA, peer-reviewed literature, and a survey of beef cow-calf producers. A simulation consisting of 10,000 iterations was used to account for either uncertainty or variability in model inputs. The median (90% confidence interval) was reported for each output variable. Global and local sensitivity analyses were performed to identify the most influential factors and quantitatively evaluate the effects of inputs on the estimated costs. RESULTS From 2011 through 2015, BRD in preweaned calves cost the US beef cow-calf industry approximately $165 million annually, of which costs associated with the death, treatment, and decreased weaning weight of BRD-affected calves were approximately $126, $25, and $15 million, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although BRD in preweaned calves may have a fairly small effect on the total gross income for the US beef cow-calf industry as a whole, it can have a substantial adverse effect on the net profit of BRD-affected herds. The model developed provided important information regarding the cost of BRD in preweaned calves on US beef cow-calf operations and identified factors that had an import effect on those costs.

Beef producer survey of the cost to prevent and treat bovine respiratory disease in preweaned calves.

OBJECTIVE To estimate costs associated with prevention and treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in preweaned calves on US beef cow-calf operations. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. SAMPLE 43 beef cow-calf producers whose operations had a history of BRD in preweaned calves. PROCEDURES Mail and electronic surveys were developed and administered to producers in Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota to obtain information regarding costs of BRD prevention and treatment. Descriptive statistics were generated. Mixed linear regression models were used to assess factors associated with the costs of vaccines, medicine, and labor and percentage time spent on prevention and treatment of BRD in cows, replacement heifers, and preweaned calves. RESULTS 7 mail and 36 electronic surveys were completed. Median annual costs for BRD vaccines were $2.25, $4.00, and $6.25/animal, and median annual labor costs for vaccination were $4.58, $3.00, and $5.00/animal for cows, heifers, and preweaned calves, respectively. Median annual costs for medicine and labor to treat preweaned calves for BRD were $11.00 and $15.00/ affected calf, respectively. Adjusted mean annual BRD vaccine cost for preweaned calves ($7.67/animal) was significantly greater than that for cows ($3.18/animal) and heifers ($4.48/animal). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that labor costs associated with BRD vaccination and treatment were similar to or exceeded the cost of vaccines and medicine, and most of those labor costs were associated with gathering and sorting cattle. Therefore, costs associated with labor as well as medicine and vaccines should be considered during the development of BRD prevention and treatment plans.

Rapid Communication: Variance component estimates for Charolais-sired fed cattle and relative economic impact of bovine respiratory disease.

Variance components were estimated and relative economic importance of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) was derived from 3 yr of performance, morbidity, and mortality data collected from a single beef cattle finishing operation. One thousand one hundred eighty nine of 12,812 Charolais-sired calves were treated for BRD during the finishing period. Weaning weight (WW), DMI, days to harvest (D2H), HCW, yield grade (YG), and marbling score determined by image analysis (MARB) were collected to quantify the economic impact associated with treatment for BRD. Observed means and (co)variances for carcass and production traits were used to simulate populations of 10,000 healthy and 10,000 BRD treated calves. A bio-economic model was developed to derive the economic value associated with the incidence and number of treatments for BRD during the finishing period. Carcasses from healthy calves were worth $58.28 more on average compared to calves treated at least once for BRD. Heritability estimates for BRD were 0.15 when the trait was measured as number of treatments (0 to 4), and 0.14 when measured as incidence (0 or 1). The model indicated that D2H had the lowest relative economic importance in this system, with a cost of $1.91 per head for each additional day on feed. Furthermore, the relative economic value of BRD morbidity was approximately 10.65 greater than D2H when recording the BRD phenotype as the number of BRD treatments. The economic values of HCW, WW, and DMI were 11.47, 5.15, and 3.61 times more important than D2H, respectively. This indicates BRD morbidity has the second greatest relative economic value in this system, with a one percent increase in morbidity associated with an average loss of $2.08 per head. These results indicate that BRD morbidity can have an equal or greater economic importance when compared to carcass and production traits during the finishing period. Further, this indicates the opportunity exists to increase the genetic merit for profitability during the finishing period by incorporating BRD incidence into terminal-sire selection indexes.

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus-Associated Disease in Feedlot Cattle.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDv) is associated with bovine respiratory disease complex and other diseases of feedlot cattle. Although occasionally a primary pathogen, BVDv's impact on cattle health is through the immunosuppressive effects of the virus and its synergism with other pathogens. The simple presence or absence of BVDv does not result in consistent health outcomes because BVDv is only one of many risk factors that contribute to disease syndromes. Current interventions have limitations and the optimum strategy for their uses to limit the health, production, and economic costs associated with BVDv have to be carefully considered for optimum cost-effectiveness.

Assessment of L-lactatemia as a predictor of respiratory disease recognition and severity in feedlot steers.

The bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD) is a major health issue in feedlot cattle and one of the primary reasons for antimicrobial use in the North American feedlot industry. The purpose of the present study was to assess blood L-lactate levels of feedlot steers at high risk of developing BRD during the early feeding period. Blood samples were obtained at initial processing and again after BRD confirmation (using bronchial lavage or thoracic ultrasound exam). The study involved 232 recently weaned steers received at a single research feedlot that were processed without metaphylactic antimicrobial treatment. Blood samples were obtained for determination of L-lactatemia and temperament scores (very quiet or stoic [score 1], average [score 2] and very excited [score 3]) were systematically assigned at initial processing. A subsample of calves that were later confirmed as cases of BRD were sampled at first pull (day 0), and at subsequent observation points on days 3, 6, 9 and 15 following initial BRD diagnosis for blood lactate determination as a potential indicator of subsequent death. The clinical BRD cumulative incidence in the cohort was 38% (87/232). Temperament was associated with the probability of becoming a BRD case during the early feeding period. Stoic or very excited calves showed 2.2 times higher odds (95%CI: 1.3, 3.8) of becoming BRD cases compared to calves with average temperament. The impact of L-lactatemia differed by temperament strata. In calves with a temperament score of 2 (average temperament) every 1-log unit increase of lactatemia at processing resulted in 1.9 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.2, 3.1) of becoming a BRD case; this relationship was not significant in calves with a score of either 1 or 3. Twenty-nine confirmed BRD cases were studied for the dynamic lactate assessment analysis. L-lactate at first pull was not significantly different between survivors (median 3.3mmol/L; range 0.8-7.8mmol/L) and non-survivors (median 2.7mmol/L; range: 1.6-5.4mmol/L) steers. However, the dynamic assessment of L-lactatemia was associated with the hazard of death using Cox proportional hazard survival analysis. A 1-log increase of lactatemia increased the hazard of dying prior to the next observation by a factor of 36.5 (95% CI: 3.5-381.6). For calves showing a normal temperament score (i.e. temperament score of 2), a misclassification cost term analysis was conducted to identify potential L-lactate test thresholds for identifying future BRD steers. When planned test usage was for informing decision of administering or not a metaphylactic treatment at processing, experts agreed that false-negative (not treating a calf that would have benefit from treatment) to false-positive (wrongfully treating a calf that would have remained healthy) health costs ratio ranged from 8:1 to 20:1. In this situation, a threshold of 5mmol/L would have best informed treatment decision. When using L-lactate for informing the type of antimicrobial used at processing, false-negative to false-positive health costs ratio ranging from 1:1 to 3:1 could be expected and, again, a L-lactate threshold of 5.0mmol/L would have minimized the costs associated with calves' misclassification and could be used to identify calves that would benefit from a more efficient metaphylactic treatment. This study provides an interesting perspective on the potential application of chute-side markers or diagnostic tests to stratify the risk of future pull for BRD in cattle during processing in order to adapt antimicrobial treatments accordingly.

Evaluating the cost implications of a radio frequency identification feeding system for early detection of bovine respiratory disease in feedlot cattle.

New technologies to identify diseased feedlot cattle in early stages of illness have been developed to reduce costs and welfare impacts associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD). However, the economic value of early BRD detection has never been assessed. The objective was to simulate cost differences between two BRD detection methods during the first 61 d on feed (DOF) applied in moderate- to large-sized feedlots using an automated recording system (ARS) for feeding behavior and the current industry standard, pen-checking (visual appraisal confirmed by rectal temperature). Economic impact was assessed with a cost analysis in a simple decision model. Scenarios for Canadian and US feedlots with high- and low-risk cattle were modeled, and uncertainty was estimated using extensive sensitivity analyses. Input costs and probabilities were mainly extracted from publicly accessible market observations and a large-scale US feedlot study. In the baseline scenario, we modeled high-risk cattle with a treatment rate of 20% within the first 61 DOF in a feedlot of >8000 cattle in Canada. Early BRD detection was estimated to result in a relative risk of 0.60 in retreatment and 0.66 in mortality compared to pen-checking (based on previously published estimates). The additional cost of monitoring health with ARS in Canadian dollar (CAD) was 13.68 per steer. Scenario analysis for similar sized US feedlots and low-risk cattle with a treatment rate of 8% were included to account for variability in costs and probabilities in various cattle populations. Considering the cost of monitoring, all relevant treatment costs and sale price, ARS was more costly than visual appraisal during the first 61 DOF by CAD 9.61 and CAD 9.69 per steer in Canada and the US, respectively. This cost difference increased in low-risk cattle in Canada to CAD 12.45. Early BRD detection with ARS became less expensive if the costs for the system decreased to less than CAD 4.06/steer, or if the underlying true BRD incidence (not treatment rate) within the first 61 DOF exceeded 47%. The model was robust to variability in the remaining input variables. Some of the assumptions in the baseline analyses were conservative and may have underestimated the real value of early BRD detection. Systems such as ARS may reduce treatment costs in some scenarios, but the investment costs are currently too high to be cost-effective when used solely for BRD detection compared to pen-checking.

The monster we don't see: subclinical BRD in beef cattle.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most expensive disease affecting United States cattle. Recently weaned calves are the focus of prevention and treatment research. Identifying affected cattle early in the course of BRD is difficult. Intervention during the early stages of BRD improves treatment outcomes; however, cattle as prey animals are excellent at hiding signs of disease, especially if the caregiver has not gained their trust. Depression, appetite loss, and changes in respiratory character are the principal signs used to identify BRD. Rectal temperatures from cattle pulled for treatment are a final measure of evaluation. Cattle suffering from subclinical BRD frequently escape identification and treatment. Observations of lungs at packing plants for anterior ventral (AV) lesions frequently document higher BRD incidence rates than observed pre-harvest, suggesting subclinical BRD is common. Data from numerous studies document lower average daily gains (ADG) from cattle with AV lung lesions at packing plants that were not treated for BRD compared with cattle with normal lungs. Scoring lung lesions at the packing plant can be a useful tool for gaining insight into BRD incidence. Data indicate that BRD lowers ADG by 0.2 lbs on average, and lowers the USDA Quality Grade by 50 marbling points.

Comparison of tulathromycin and tilmicosin on the prevalence and severity of bovine respiratory disease in feedlot cattle in association with feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and economic factors.

The objectives of this study were to 1) quantify effects of metaphylactic treatment for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and lung lesion prevalence and severity; 2) evaluate the association of lung lesion prevalence and severity with carcass characteristics; and 3) evaluate effects of therapeutic treatment on carcass characteristics and lung lesion prevalence and severity. The study was conducted at a commercial feedlot in the Texas Panhandle in which steers (n = 2,336) initially weighing 312.1 ± 9.6 kg were sourced from auction markets and allocated in a randomized complete block design to 1 of 3 treatments (no metaphylactic [no antimicrobial drug {ND}] treatment, tilmicosin at 10 mg/kg BW [TIL], and tulathromycin at 2.5 mg/kg BW [TUL]). Lungs of all steers were evaluated during harvest to assess presence and severity of pneumonic lesions in the anteroventral lobes and the presence and severity of pleural adherences. Compared to the ND treatment, steers treated via metaphylactic therapy had greater (P < 0.05) metaphylactic cost, ADG, shrunk final BW, dressed carcass yield, HCW, 12th rib fat, calculated empty body fat (EBF), and gross revenue, concurrent with reduced (P < 0.05) BRD treatment costs and financial losses from BRD death and railed cattle, cumulatively resulting in greater financial returns. Lung lesions were present in 64.3% of lungs and were distributed similarly between metaphylactic treatments (63.9%) and ND (65.1%) cattle. Steers with advanced lung lesions present at harvest were associated with reduced (P < 0.05) HCW, KPH, 12th rib fat, calculated yield grades, marbling scores, and calculated EBF as compared to steers without lung lesions. Steers pulled for BRD had increased (P < 0.01) incidence of advanced lung lesions, mortality, and railers with decreased (P < 0.05) HCW, 12th rib fat, KPH, marbling score, calculated EBF, and percentage choice carcasses when compared to non-BRD event steers. From the results of this study, controlling BRD through the use of metaphylactic treatments on arrival in heavier cattle improved financial returns primarily driven by reductions in cost of death loss and railers.

The impact of bovine respiratory disease: the current feedlot experience.

Mortality during the finishing phase in beef steers has increased over the last 13 years at a rate of 0.05% per year for cattle fed in Cactus Feeders' operations. A change in the demographics of placements has also occurred, in that heavier weight cattle are being placed as compared to previous years. Morbidity rates are lower, but higher case fatality rates are observed when compared to years when lighter weight cattle were placed. More lung lesions of varying degree are documented at necropsy of new arrivals and there is greater perception of reduced response to therapy in animals identified with respiratory disease. As placement weights have increased, mortality in the early stages of the feeding period has decreased, resulting in a greater proportion of total death loss later in the period. This shift, in conjunction with an increasing long-term trend of total death loss, can lead to the interpretation of higher 'late day mortality'. Rather than relying solely on observation and distributions of the data, Cactus Feeders believes that the development of a predictive model is better suited to address the potential of 'late day mortality' in confined cattle feeding operations.

Estimating the costs of rearing young dairy cattle in the Netherlands using a simulation model that accounts for uncertainty related to diseases.

The costs of rearing young dairy cattle are a part of the cost of the price of milk, as rearing produces the future dairy cows. As most dairy farmers are not aware of the rearing costs, the rearing of dairy replacements often does not get the attention it deserves. Calculating the distribution of the rearing costs throughout the rearing process is difficult as the costs are correlated with biological processes, such as variation in growth rate and disease uncertainty. In this study, a calf level simulation model was built to estimate the rearing costs and their distribution from 2 weeks of age until first calving in the Netherlands. The uncertainties related to calf diseases (calf scours and bovine respiratory disease) were included, in which both the probabilities of disease and the effects of diseases (growth reduction) differ at different ages. In addition, growth was modeled stochastically and in a detailed manner using a two-phase growth function. The total cost of rearing young dairy cattle was estimated as €1567 per successfully reared heifer and varied between €1423 and €1715. Reducing the age of first calving by 1 month reduced the total cost between 2.6% and 5.7%. The difference in the average cost of rearing between heifers that calved at 24 months and those calving at 30 months was €400 per heifer reared. Average rearing costs were especially influenced by labor efficiency and cost of feed. The rearing costs of a heifer that experienced disease at least once (20% of the simulated heifers) were on average €95 higher than those of healthy heifers. Hence, for an individual diseased heifer, disease costs can be rather high, while the relative contribution to the average rearing cost for a standard Dutch dairy farm is low (approx. 3%). Overall, the model developed proved to be a useful tool to investigate the total cost of rearing young dairy cattle, providing insights to dairy farmers with respect to the cost-efficiency of their own rearing management.

Bovine coronavirus associated syndromes.

Bovine coronaviruses, like other animal coronaviruses, have a predilection for intestinal and respiratory tracts. The viruses responsible for enteric and respiratory symptoms are closely related antigenically and genetically. Only 4 bovine coronavirus isolates have been completely sequenced and thus, the information about the genetics of the virus is still limited. This article reviews the clinical syndromes associated with bovine coronavirus, including pneumonia in calves and adult cattle, calf diarrhea, and winter dysentery; diagnostic methods; prevention using vaccination; and treatment, with adjunctive immunotherapy.

The epidemiology of bovine respiratory disease: What is the evidence for predisposing factors?

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most costly disease of beef cattle in North America. It is multi-factorial, with a variety of physical and physiological stressors combining to predispose cattle to pneumonia. However, efforts to discern which factors are most important have frequently failed to establish definitive answers. Calves are at highest risk shortly after transport. Risk factors include purchasing from sale barns and commingling. It is unclear whether or not these practices increase susceptibility, increase exposure, or are proxies for poor management. Lighter-weight calves appear to be at greater risk, although this has not been consistent. Persistent infection (PI) with bovine virus diarrhea virus increases BRD occurrence, but it is unclear if PI calves affect other cattle in the feedlot. The complexity of BRD has made it difficult to define involvement of individual factors. Stressors may play a role as "necessary but not sufficient" components, requiring additive effects to cause disease.

Overview of the North American beef cattle industry and the incidence of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

The North American beef cattle industry has endured many changes throughout the years but is encountering some of the most dramatic challenges in history during the first decade of the 21st century. The US beef cattle inventory increased from 1990 to a high of 103.5 million in 1996 and since has declined to a low of 94.5 million on 1 January 2009. Even though economic signals have encouraged the cow herd to increase over the last 5 years, a significant decrease occurred during 2008. It is difficult to determine the precise cost of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) to the industry but it is reported to be greater than US$500 million per year. Data from our practice indicate that losses from BRD over the last 18 years have been characterized by 5-year cycles of decreases and increases. Perhaps it is time for the industry to look for ways to reduce death loss by methods that focus on the animal's response to the pathogens instead of continuing to focus on the pathogens.

North American cattle marketing and bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

The risk of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) has a significant effect on the value of cattle in the marketplace. Calves sold in larger groups have $6.37/45.45 kg more value than those sold as singles or in small groups. Morbidity is higher in unweaned commingled calves than those marketed in groups more than 45 days following weaning. Calves with an aggressive disposition have significantly less value than docile calves, due largely to depressed performance and less carcass value. The value of cattle in the marketplace can be improved by offering larger, uniform lots of cattle that have been weaned at least 45 days. Cattle that suffer BRD in the feedlot have from $23.23 to $151.18 less value than those remaining healthy.

Impact of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) from the perspective of the Canadian beef producer.

The costs of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) to the beef producer can be estimated by identifying and summing the direct and indirect costs associated with the disease. The major direct costs are attributable to the cost of the feeder, production costs and carcass disposal. The indirect costs are mainly associated with infrastructure and labour.