Research continues on identifying a genetic connection with Bovine Respiratory Disease susceptibility.

Burt Rutherford, Senior Editor

August 20, 2014

3 Min Read
Researchers Closing In On The Genetics of Bovine Respiratory Disease
<p>Based on research, the heritability of BRD susceptibility could range between 18% and 29%.</p>

It’s not only a significant animal health problem for U.S. cattle producers, but bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most common infectious disease in cattle worldwide, says Holly Neibergs, a University of Washington geneticist. And in spite of intensive efforts to prevent and treat the cattle disease, respiratory problems still challenge cattlemen.

“If we look at a 15-year average, we see the national prevalence of this disease is about 16% in feedlots over 1,000 head,” she says. “And unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like anybody is really spared. Over 97% of feedlots over 1,000 head said they had BRD as an issue in their lot.”

 

Subscribe now to Cow-Calf Weekly to get the latest industry research and information in your inbox every Friday!


The research is part of the Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex Coordinated Agricultural Project, a nationwide, multi-university undertaking to find solutions to BRD. The 1,000-head research project is the first leg in a multi-year research effort that will ultimately involve around 3,000 head.

Looking at the cattle that got sick in the research trial, Neibergs says the total economic loss, including death loss, treatment cost and lost carcass value, came to around $254/head. “So with the estimated rate of genetic gain of selecting for BRD resistance, we could have saved between $80 million and $132 million if we would have selected for enhanced BRD resistance,” she says.

And she says that’s probably understated. In a research project that looked at almost 1,000 steers in a commercial feedyard, she says that 67% of the animals diagnosed with BRD had lung lesions and 67% of the cattle that were considered healthy also had lung lesions. That means, she says, that a lot of the “healthy” cattle had subclinical respiratory disease issues.

However, she says there is some evidence, based on research done at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center and elsewhere, that BRD has some genetic underfooting. Based on her research, she says the heritability of BRD susceptibility could range between 18% and 29%.

So far, genetic research on BRD has identified some gene loci. That work is ongoing and researchers are drilling down to find the underlying genetic causes.

Once the genetic connection is more fully understood, Neibergs says that information can be used as cattlemen make their genetic selection decisions. And if the heritability estimates hold true, it’s possible that the number of BRD cases can be whittled down.

“If you think about a heritability somewhere around 20%, that’s not bad,” she says. “Selection for dystocia (calving difficulty) has been pretty effective and it has about the same heritability.”

 

Other trending headlines at BEEF:

10 New Farm Trucks To Consider For 2014

Sage Grouse Cattle Thrive On Rest, Rotation Program

3 Alternatives For Replacement Beef Heifers

5 Must-Read Headlines For Week Of August 18

Why Charity Navigator Knocked HSUS Down A Peg Or Two

100+ Photos Of Ranch Dogs

Showing Cattle Is More Than Ribbons And Banner

Enjoy A Laugh! Rubes Cartoons Recently Updated

About the Author(s)

Burt Rutherford

Senior Editor, BEEF Magazine

Burt Rutherford is director of content and senior editor of BEEF. He has nearly 40 years’ experience communicating about the beef industry. A Colorado native and graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in agricultural journalism, he now works from his home base in Colorado. He worked as communications director for the North American Limousin Foundation and editor of the Western Livestock Journal before spending 21 years as communications director for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association. He works to keep BEEF readers informed of trends and production practices to bolster the bottom line.

Subscribe to Our Newsletters
BEEF Magazine is the source for beef production, management and market news.

You May Also Like