The severe stress calves experience stress during weaning and shipping is opportunity for bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Despite producers’ and feedlot managers’ best attempts to manage the costly malady, mortality rates for feedlots continue to increase. John M. Davis with Beef Cattle Professional Services at Boehringer Ingelheim, suggests it is time to manage the disease with effective prevention measures. Protocols include:
- Control stressors
- Source preconditioned cattle
- Match label claims to key pathogens
- Administer the proper dosage, and wait
Source: Progressive Cattle, July 25, 2019. Link. “This is not a quick fix for reversing the trends of BRD. But incorporating good management practices and a sound vaccination program to keep cattle performing their best is a great start.
INSIGHTS: This is advice worth telling time and again. This column is easy to understand and offers several conversation starters for on-site visits.