The 2009 BRD Symposium was held Aug. 5-6 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Below are featured videos from the sympsosium, as well as summaries of the presentations. Conference organizer Amelia Woolums, DVM, PhD, University of Georgia, says there were more than 200 veterinarians and researchers in attendance.
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BRD losses inconsistent over the years
By Drovers/Bovine Veterinary staff
| Thursday, August 06, 2009
Del Miles,
The U.S. cattle inventory increased from 1990 to a high of 103.5 million in 1996 and since has declined to a low of 94.5 million January 1, 2009. Even though economic signals have been in place to encourage the cow herd to increase the last 5 years, a significant decrease occurred during 2008.
It is very difficult to determine the precise cost to the industry of bovine respiratory disease (BRD), says Miles, but it is reported to be greater than $500 million per year. “Numbers from our practice indicate the losses from BRD have been inconsistent over the last 18 years with five year cycles of decreases and increases,” Miles said.
The questions Miles poses to the industry are: Is it time for the industry to look for other ways to improve death loss instead of continuing to focus on the pathogens? Is it time to focus on the animal’s response to the pathogens instead of the organisms.
