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Bovine Respiratory Disease, or BRD, can become a very costly situation quite quickly; one day a calf may appear to be healthy but by the next it could be standing by itself with droopy ears, a lowered head, and more heavy breathing.<\/div>\nMany people refer to BRD as \u201cshipping fever<\/span>\u201d or pneumonia and that is quite reasonable, but BRD is not merely a single disease; it is a disease complex, meaning that stress, immunity, the environment, viruses, and bacteria can all act together at the same time.<\/p>\n That is the reason why weaning season is so important; calves have to cope with a number of changes at the same time such as being separated from their mothers, being transported, having their vaccinations given, being castrated, having their horns removed, being fed on a new type of food, being mixed with other cattle they do not know, and being exposed to new germs.<\/p>\n The greater the amount of stress a calf experiences, the more likely it is to develop BRD.<\/p>\n The good news is that it\u2019s impossible to prevent all cases, but it is possible to reduce the risk; preparing calves before weaning and keeping a close eye on them afterward can save lives, reduce treatment costs, and help protect their performance.<\/p>\n BRD is a general term for respiratory disease in cattle, and in most cases, producers are referring to pneumonia, shipping fever, or a mix of respiratory issues affecting the lungs and airways.<\/p>\n Respiratory disease is common among cattle in feedlots and on stocker operations, but cow-calf producers shouldn\u2019t ignore it. Calves may contract respiratory disease before they even leave the ranch, and the choices made before weaning can influence how well they cope with stress later.<\/p>\n Stress weakens the calf\u2019s immune system, as weaning, hauling, crowding, dust, sudden changes in weather, and mixing calves together all exert pressure.<\/p>\n Secondly, viruses can enter the animal, further impairing the calf\u2019s defenses. They can irritate the respiratory tract, making it easier for bacteria to establish themselves.<\/p>\n Another possibility is that bacteria can take advantage of the situation and cause pneumonia.<\/p>\n What makes BRD so frustrating is that it is not generally due to a single cause but rather to a combination of problems.<\/p>\n The usual risk factors include:<\/p>\n When someone says, \u201cThose calves just fell apart,<\/span>\u201d BRD is usually to blame. The objective is to avoid causing so much stress that the calf\u2019s immune system is unable to cope.<\/p>\n BRD could easily be seen as being only a problem associated with feedlots; although feedlots and stocker operations frequently encounter it, cow-calf producers are also affected.<\/p>\n When calves are sold at weaning, the buyers take their health into consideration. Calves that are crying, thin, dusty, not vaccinated, or unwilling to go to the feeding area are regarded as higher risk and therefore have a lower value.<\/p>\n If you are responsible for the calves in terms of ownership, background, or the initial conditions, then BRD will be your direct concern. Ill calves result in higher expenses for medicine and labor, reduced weight gain, and, in some cases, the loss of the animals.<\/p>\n It is true that calves being nursed on pasture can contract pneumonia, which may be surprising. The risk can be increased by heat, dust, dry weather, poor nutrition, parasites, and stress.<\/p>\n That is August\u2019s place in the sequence. Since weaning begins in the fall, it is worthwhile to pose a simple question:<\/p>\n Is it the case that these calves are ready to go through weaning and shipping, or have they already been under too much stress as autumn nears?<\/p>\n Cow-calf producers can reduce the risk of bronchopneumonia by improving their calves\u2019 health before periods of stress. This might be achieved through more effective vaccination programs, better nutrition, cleaner handling procedures, reduced dust, improved water quality, or by allowing calves to become accustomed to their feed and water before they are shipped.<\/p>\n Even if you won\u2019t be the one looking after the calf afterward, you can still do something to ensure it\u2019s ready for what comes next.<\/p>\n BRD is not only a health matter it\u2019s also a financial one.<\/p>\n In feedlots BRD is a major cause of illness and death, which is why managers keep a close eye on new calves; it is during the first few weeks that you can see how well the cattle will get on.<\/p>\n The direct cost of BRD includes the obvious stuff:<\/p>\nBRD Is More Than Just \u201cShipping Fever\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Why Cow-Calf Producers Should Care<\/span><\/h2>\n
Why BRD Gets Expensive Fast<\/span><\/h2>\n
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