BRD and dark cutting costs

[nanabanana]

Working on the business case for a non-antibiotic approach to BRD in feedlots. The industry estimates say BRD runs $800M-$1B/year and dark cutting costs $288M/year in the US. We're trying to figure out if those numbers reflect what actually happens on operations or if they're inflated.

For anyone running cattle through feedlots:

1. What does a BRD case actually cost you all-in? Everything including drug cost.
2. How often does dark cutting hit you and what discount do you take?
3. Thoughts on metaphylaxis on arrival. Effective enough or would you try a working alternative?
4. If someone showed you data that a modified ear tag reduced BRD pulls 20-25%, who would you trust first to try it, your vet, a university trial, a neighbor, or the packer?
5. Are electronic tags like SenseHub worth the money?

Trying to kill this idea or validate it.

 

[redrobin]

Brd has significant impact on stocker operations.