Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in postweaning calves with different prevention strategies and the impact on performance and health status

Abstract

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in bovine calves, especially around the weaning period, when the calves are usually moved from individual to group housing. BRD has negative perfor­mance and economic consequences that extend well beyond the actual event. Therefore, we aimed to compare BRD morbid­ity, mortality and growth in dairy and dairy beef cross-bred calves during the first commingle groups using 2 different BRD prevention strategies. We hypothesized that one or both pre­vention strategies would reduce BRD morbidity and mortality, resulting in better health status and performance in calves.