A dairy producer’s view of respiratory disease

Respiratory disease is a significant economic burden for United States dairies. Although there has been quality research, there is a need to translate the academic findings to the dairy barn. In particular, there is a need to implement solutions in the context of the economic ramifications of disease management. Plans to combat respiratory disease need to be simple, implemented incrementally and require low ‘management energy’. If respiratory disease is prevented at an early age, this will ensure the greatest chance that the animals will reach their full genetic potential to produce.