Financial losses caused by bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in cattle herds

The authors summarize the incidence and the effects on production of BRD (Bovine Respiratory Disease), by reviewing the Hungarian and international literature. Based on the data found in the references, they estimate the annual losses caused by BRD at national and herd level. In Hungary the estimated losses exceed 1.7 billion HUF/year (6.2 million EUR). In a dairy cattle farm keeping 1000 dairy cows BRD causes more than 5.3 million HUF (19.5 thousand EUR) estimated annual loss on average, that means 5.3 thousand HUF (19 EUR) estimated annual loss per cow. It can be concluded that diminishing the incidence of BRD could improve the profitability of the Hungarian cattle sector, therefore it would be important to introduce specific preventive measures against the major pathogens causing BRD.