Persistently Infected: Does it pay to test?

BRD accounts for approximately 70% of feedlot morbidity and 50% of feedlot mortality, negatively affecting profit (Edwards 1996; Galyean, Perino, Duff 1999; Loneragan et al. 2001; Chirase and Greene 2001; Smith 1998). This study provides an economic evaluation and net return estimate associated with testing and removal of BVDV persistently infected (PI) calves of differing management backgrounds (low-risk preconditioned calves vs. high-risk auction market calves). Results show that establishment of a PI-BVDV control program within auction market calves increases net returns while a PI-BVDV control program for preconditioned calves is not economically justified.