Individuazione e valutazione dei fattori di rischio per la BRD nel bovino da carne da ristallo

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the main health problem in intensive beef cattle rearing all over the world. Due to its high morbidity and because of the negative impact on growth performance, BRD is one of the main causes of economic loss in this type of rearing. BRD is a multifactorial syndrome, so its etiopathogenesis covers several predisposing and triggering factors. The specific conditions in which beef cattle are reared during the entire production cycle, starting from the origin farm, expose animals to many risk factors that can dramatically reduce their immune defenses. Young calves moved farm to farm are inevitable exposed to several stressors and pathogens, so BRD incidence in fattening facilities is unavoidable but, thanks to correct management and structures, can be limited. Therefore, the management of the several risk factors is essential to support the correct preventive and therapeutic approaches. The aim of this survey is to propose a system for BRD potential risk assessment of each group of newly received beef cattle arriving to fattening facilities, scoring the main risk factors of the production system that can affect the animals susceptibility to respiratory disease. The overall risk assessment starts from the analysis of subject inherent risk in relation to weight, sex, race, transport length, after transport weight loss and management of origin farm. This subject inherent risk could be exacerbated or reduced by management and structures present on fattening facility. Risk assessment allows vets and farmers to take specific case by case management decisions for each group of newly received beef cattle in relation to its related to risk BRD morbidity and severity. This condition is basic to develop an effective management and prevention of respiratory disease in beef cattle intensive rearing system. The analysis of all the information that flow from the risk assessment, allows to quantify each risk factor impact on the farm balance sheet, highlighting the cost-effectiveness of changes in management practices and of investments to implement structural equipment.