Metaphylactic Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Stewardship in Beef Stocker Cattle

Bovine respiratory disease has historically been, and continues to be, a significant issue facing the beef stocker industry. This single disease syndrome is responsible for nearly 90% of all morbidity and mortality in stocker cattle and has significant effects on animal welfare, animal performance, and overall farm profitability. Multiple antimicrobials in different antimicrobial classes are approved for metaphylaxis and, of those available for use, members of the macrolide class have demonstrated the greatest efficacy. Unfortunately, antimicrobial resistance is an emerging threat to antimicrobial efficacy and the public perception of antimicrobial use in animal agriculture is negative.