Health record analysis of one million cattle identifies early prevention as key to reducing feedlot respiratory deaths
A study of over one million Australian cattle indicates that bovine respiratory disease (BRD) mortality is heavily influenced by factors present before animals reach feedlots. Researchers suggest that tracking supplier history and avoiding auction yards could significantly reduce death rates.
Why it matters
Improving livestock health management practices can reduce economic losses for farmers and improve animal welfare standards in the agricultural industry.
edited by Lisa Lock , reviewed by Andrew Zinin
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Add as preferred source Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain New research involving more than 1 million Australian feedlot cattle has found that the strongest predictors of death from bovine respiratory disease (BRD) are established before animals even enter the feedlot, highlighting the importance of preventive measures on source properties.
The study, led by Adelaide University in partnership with Apiam Animal Health and Meat and Livestock Australia, analyzed health and production records from 1,040,253 cattle across three Australian feedlots between 2018 and 2024, making it the largest Australian investigation of BRD-specific mortality conducted to date. It has been published in Preventive Veterinary Medicine.
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