How to Actually Spot BRD Before Calves CrashBovine 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.
Many people refer to BRD as “shipping fever” 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.
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.
The greater the amount of stress a calf experiences, the more likely it is to develop BRD.
The good news is that it’s 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.

BRD Is More Than Just “Shipping Fever”

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.
Respiratory disease is common among cattle in feedlots and on stocker operations, but cow-calf producers shouldn’t 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.
Stress weakens the calf’s immune system, as weaning, hauling, crowding, dust, sudden changes in weather, and mixing calves together all exert pressure.
Secondly, viruses can enter the animal, further impairing the calf’s defenses. They can irritate the respiratory tract, making it easier for bacteria to establish themselves.
Another possibility is that bacteria can take advantage of the situation and cause pneumonia.
What makes BRD so frustrating is that it is not generally due to a single cause but rather to a combination of problems.
The usual risk factors include:
  • Weaning stress
  • Long transport
  • Mixing cattle from different sources
  • Crowding
  • Dusty pens
  • Poor ventilation
  • Sudden diet changes
  • Weather swings
  • Weak nutrition
  • Poor immune status
When someone says, “Those calves just fell apart,” BRD is usually to blame. The objective is to avoid causing so much stress that the calf’s immune system is unable to cope.

Why Cow-Calf Producers Should Care

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.
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.
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.
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.
That is August’s place in the sequence. Since weaning begins in the fall, it is worthwhile to pose a simple question:
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?
Cow-calf producers can reduce the risk of bronchopneumonia by improving their calves’ 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.
Even if you won’t be the one looking after the calf afterward, you can still do something to ensure it’s ready for what comes next.

Why BRD Gets Expensive Fast

BRD is not only a health matter it’s also a financial one.
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.
The direct cost of BRD includes the obvious stuff:
  • Antibiotics
  • Vet supplies
  • Labor
  • The time taken to pull and treat the calves.
  • Extra handling
  • Retreatments
The National Animal Health Monitoring System found that the cost of treating respiratory diseases in feedlot cattle was $23.60 per case, with the total treatment costs in the entire feedlot industry estimated at $54.12 million. Now that is a large figure, but it still fails to tell the whole story.
The main part of the cost arises from the period after a calf becomes ill.
A calf affected by BRD might grow more slowly, make inefficient use of feed, require more treatments, or become a chronic case. In the most severe instances it can die. Those that do recover may still never attain their full potential.
What producers occasionally fail to take into account is that the cost of treatment is only one element of the overall expense.
BRD can cost you through:
  • Lower average daily gain
  • Poor feed efficiency
  • More pulls
  • More labor
  • Chronic calves
  • Death loss
  • Lower sale value
  • Lost confidence from buyers
BRD affects more than just medicine costs. It impacts your whole operation.

The First 30 Days Are Critical

BRD is frequently seen early on, in particular following weaning, shipping, arrival, or commingling.
The first month is very important.
The calves are getting used to their new environment, food, water, herd, and handling. That is precisely the time when you want them to be eating, drinking, resting and putting on weight. However, high-risk calves may end up standing in a corner, with droopy ears and a fever.
Data from feedlots indicate that a large number of BRD cases occur shortly after animals arrive. Many calves fall ill within the first few weeks, something that is frequently observed by producers.
The likelihood of BRD rises as soon as the calves are under stress.
For those who raise calves, the first month after weaning is important. For operators who use stocker and feedlot facilities, the first month after the calves arrive is the one in which they need to be closely watched.
Watch these places:
  • Back of the group
  • Fence lines
  • Water troughs
  • Feed bunks
  • Corners of pens
  • Shade areas
  • Dusty loafing spots
Sick calves usually separate themselves before they become seriously ill. They might go to feed more slowly. They might stay behind while the others move forward. Or they might stand with their heads low or their ears drooped.
The sooner you detect a sick calf, the greater your chances of successfully treating it.

Cut the Stress Before BRD Gets a Chance

With BRD, prevention is generally cheaper and more effective than treatment.
It is impossible to eliminate all sources of stress since weaning, hauling, and changes in weather all have a tough effect on calves. However, it is possible to avoid doing all the stressful tasks at once.
In this case, effective management has an impact.
If possible, avoid weaning, vaccinating, castrating, dehorning, hauling, and changing the feed at the same time, since sometimes the weather, the availability of labor, or market timing can make the situation complicated; however, the more spread out the stress, the better, as preconditioning is an excellent method of reducing the risk of bronchopneumonia. A good program allows calves time to adjust to the changes before being transported. They learn to eat from a bunk, to drink from a trough, to recover from weaning, and acquire immunity through a planned vaccination program.
Good prevention also includes the basics:
  • Clean water
  • Good nutrition
  • Adequate mineral
  • Low dust
  • Enough bunk space
  • Enough pen space
  • Good drainage
  • Clean bedding when needed
  • Low-stress handling
  • A sound vaccination plan
Water is particularly important; after either hauling or weaning, calves must have quick access to clean water, as dehydration and insufficient intake can exacerbate problems.
Feed is also important since calves will only take a starter ration or forage that they actually eat. A feed plan will not work unless the calves are willing to eat it.

Vaccination Helps, But Timing Matters

Vaccines are important for preventing BRD, but they do not provide a rapid solution.
A calf isn’t protected immediately by a vaccine, since the immune system takes time to respond, making timing important.
If calves are vaccinated for the first time on the day they are weaned and then transported, mixed, and subjected to stress immediately afterward, they might not obtain the full benefit when they need it most. Of course, this does not mean the vaccine is of no use; it only means the program could probably be better timed.
It is important here to have a good veterinarian. A local one can assist in drawing up a vaccination program suitable for your business, disease risk, marketing plan, and cattle.
Questions worth asking include:
  • Which respiratory vaccines are required for these calves?
  • At what stage should the first dose be administered?
  • Is a booster needed?
  • Should calves receive a vaccination before weaning?
  • What products correspond to our local disease risks?
  • What is the correct way to handle and store vaccines?
The way you handle vaccines is also important: store them at the correct temperature, mix modified-live vaccines properly, use sterile syringes, and follow the label instructions. A high-quality vaccine will not work as well if it is handled poorly.
Even though a vigorous vaccination program cannot replace good management, it does help calves cope with stress by strengthening their immune systems.

Use D.A.R.T. to Catch Sick Calves Earlier

With BRD, the timing is important.
A calf that is cared for early is more likely to survive than one that is discovered late; this is why it is worth taking the time to observe it day by day, particularly during the first few weeks after weaning or upon arrival.
There is a simple tool known as the D.A.R.T. method.
D, Depression: Look for calves with droopy ears, a low head, stiff movement, or a tucked-up look. Sick calves may stand alone or hang behind the group.
A, Appetite: Watch for calves that are slow to come to feed, not interested in the bunk, or acting different from normal. This is where knowing your cattle comes in handy. Some calves are naturally shy, so compare behavior against what is normal for that group.
R, Respiration: Look for heavy breathing, flared nostrils, a soft cough, labored breathing, or a calf that seems to be working harder than it should.
T, Temperature: It provides you with a specific figure; the normal temperature for a calf is usually about 102 degrees Fahrenheit and if the temperature goes above 104 degrees it may be eligible for treatment, according to your own protocol and the advice of your veterinarian.
The only one of the D.A.R.T. steps which provides an objective figure is the thermometer; all the others depend on careful observation.
You have to understand what normal behavior looks like before you can notice when something is wrong.

Build a Treatment Plan Before You Need It

When treating BRD, don’t try to figure it out by guessing.
Make sure you have a treatment plan before the calves become ill, since it’s not advisable to try to work out a plan when you already have a sick calf.
Get your veterinarian involved in drawing up a clear protocol; the protocol should specify the signs which indicate that a calf requires treatment, the temperature that is relevant, the product to use, the dose, the site at which it should be given, when it should be rechecked, and when retreatment should take place.
Your vet will be able to select the appropriate products for your operation and ensure that you are covering the correct bacteria. The aim should not be merely to use antibiotics, but to use the right treatment at the right time and in the right way.
It’s also important to keep good records.
Write down:
  • Calf ID
  • Date treated
  • Temperature
  • Symptoms
  • Product used
  • Dose
  • Route of administration
  • Lot number if needed
  • Withdrawal time
  • Response to treatment
  • Retreatment date, if needed
Records enable all people to know the treatments that have been given, and they also help to avoid mistakes regarding withdrawal times as well as making it easier to determine whether your protocol is working.
There is a clear protocol that ensures everyone is kept informed and able to work together.

Before You Wean: BRD Prevention Checklist

If you intend to wean calves this fall, don’t leave it until the last minute to consider BRD.
Here is a simple checklist to work through before calves are under pressure:
  • Ask your vet about when to give the vaccines.
  • Decide if the calves require the pre-weaning vaccinations.
  • If necessary, adjust the booster timing.
  • Ensure that vaccines are stored and handled properly.
  • Avoid stacking too many stressful jobs on weaning day.
  • Reduce dust in pens and working areas.
  • Check water troughs and make sure calves can find them.
  • Introduce calves to feed before or soon after weaning.
  • Provide good minerals and nutrition.
  • Before you haul or work the calves, check the weather.
  • Avoid overcrowding pens.
  • Keep good treatment records.
  • Make sure you have a written BRD treatment protocol ready.
  • Keep a close eye on the calves for at least the first few weeks.
The checklist is not complicated, yet it includes the essential tasks.
You can’t prevent BRD with a single major measure; instead, it requires a series of small management actions to keep calves from getting overwhelmed.
A calf that has been vaccinated and is also eating, drinking, resting, and has undergone less stressful handling is more likely to remain healthy.