NC1192: An integrated approach to control of bovine respiratory diseases

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Active

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[10/26/2021] [09/30/2022] [02/26/2023] [03/25/2024] [03/13/2025]

Date of Annual Report: 10/26/2021

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/24/2021 - 08/24/2021
Period the Report Covers: 09/21/2020 - 08/24/2021

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

See attached report

Minutes Attachment:

2021-NC1192 General Report_102421.pdf

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 09/30/2022

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/31/2022 - 08/31/2022
Period the Report Covers: 08/24/2021 - 08/31/2022

Participants

See meeting report

Participants Attachment:

2022-NC1192 Meeting Report.pdf

Brief Summary of Minutes

Please see attached file below for NC1192's 2022 annual report. Note that it was last updated from a previous version on 10/10/2022.

Minutes Attachment:

2022-NC1192 General Report_FINAL Rev1 10 10 22.pdf

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 02/26/2023

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/24/2023 - 01/24/2023
Period the Report Covers: 08/31/2022 - 01/24/2023

Participants

See attached

Participants Attachment:

2023-NC1192 General Report_2-24-23.pdf

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 03/25/2024

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/20/2024 - 01/20/2024
Period the Report Covers: 01/24/2023 - 01/24/2024

Participants

Manuel Chamorro, Auburn University
Roberto Palomares, University of Georgia
Natalia Cernicchiaro, Kansas State University
Florencia Meyer, Mississippi State University
Brandi Karisch, Mississippi State University
Amelia Woolums, Mississippi State University
Matthew Scott, Texas A&M University
Robert Valeris-Chacin, Texas A&M University
Lee Pinnell, Texas A&M University
Paul Morley, Texas A&M University
Andi Lear, University of Tennessee
Chris Chase, South Dakota State University
Alan Young, South Dakota State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Summary of Annual Committee Meeting:

Date: Tue Jan 23, 2024

Location: Marriott Magnificent Mile, 4th Floor, Clark Ballroom

Time: 1-5pm Central Standard Time (NOTE: previously announced erroneously as Eastern time)

Agenda and items discussed:

1:00 PM: Introductions and welcome new members

1:30 PM: Update from Dr. Kathe Bjork, USDA NIFA, National Program Leader, Animal Health

2:00 - 3:15 PM: Presentation of station reports (10 - 15 min/report).

3:15 - 3:30 PM: Break

3:30 PM: Update from Administrative Advisor Dr. James Averill

4:00 PM: Business meeting

Items to discuss

BRD Symposium 2024: updates from Grant Dewell, Sharif Aly, Amelia Woolums

Update on webinars: Grant Dewell

Identify officers for 2024: next Secretary/President: Matthew Scott, TX

Future meeting plans: CRWAD 2025

New project proposal, 2025: writing committee: Matthew Scott, Robert Valeris-Chacin

5:00 PM: Adjourn

Accomplishments

Accomplishments:   Objective 1: To elucidate pathways by which host characteristics, pathogen virulence mechanisms, and environmental impacts interact to produce BRD, and to develop strategies to mitigate detrimental factors and enhance protective mechanisms. <ol> <li> Molecular epidemiological assessment of beef cattle management systems: how markets and vaccines influence health and disease (TX: Sarah Capik, Matthew Scott, Paul Morley, Lee Pinnell; MS:  Kelsey Harvey, Brandi Karisch, Amelia Woolums).  Two management decisions which have the potential to greatly impact BRD risk, but whose longitudinal effects are poorly understood, are preweaning vaccination and marketing strategy. In particular, we do not understand how they modulate host immunity and the host-pathogen relationship as cattle move through different production systems. We hypothesize that cattle management decisions related to reducing BRD risk influence host immunity and cellular activity and alter the composition of microbial communities. To test this hypothesis, we will analyze the 1) whole blood transcriptomes and 2) microbial DNA and RNA from the upper respiratory tract of cattle in a time-course, multi-omics approach.</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Controlling for shared gene expression over time, cattle, regardless of vaccination administration, demonstrated a continuous increase in gene expression related to specialized proresolving mediator (SPM) biosynthesis, which are profound regulators of both acute and chronic airway inflammation, CD28-dependent T-cell survival and co-stimulation, and carbohydrate/fatty acid metabolism.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>We further discovered that MLV-vaccinated cattle possessed DEGs which enriched for the downregulation of complement/coagulation cascades and the upregulation of Th17-cell-mediated immunity; critically, MLV-vaccinated calves did not demonstrate a change in type I interferon-associated gene expression prior to weaning.</li> <li>Leveraging the interaction between vaccination status and sale decision (Auction or Direct purchasing strategy prior to backgrounding), we discovered nearly 3,000 DEGs between cattle in the two market system groups, which contributed to antiviral defense (increased in Auction), cell growth regulation (decreased in Auction), immune activation and complement (increased in Auction), and inflammatory mediation (decreased in Auction).</li> <li>Auction cattle having previously been vaccinated during the cow-calf phase demonstrated lower gene expression and number of genes at backgrounding related to type I interferon production when compared to non-vaccinated Auction cattle at backgrounding.</li> <li>Work is ongoing to evaluate the transcriptomes of cattle during the cow-calf production period which would later develop BRD during backgrounding.</li> <li>The development of methodology to simultaneously extract and evaluate microbial DNA and RNA from nasopharyngeal swabs has been successful, with the anticipation of sequencing and analysis workflows to commence in spring 2024.</li> </ul> <ol start="2"> <li> Impact of the neonatal microbiome on morbidity and performance of beef and dairy cattle (TX-TAMU: Matthew Scott, Robert Valeris-Chacin, Sarah Capik; TX-WTAMU: John Richeson). One major knowledge gap in BRD pathogenesis is just how and when cattle are colonized with bacterial agents such as Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma bovis. Although these bacteria are pathogens associated with BRD, they are also considered commensals that can be found in the respiratory tracts of clinically normal cattle. Little research has been performed regarding when these BRD commensals first colonize neonatal calves and the composition of the neonatal respiratory microbiome of beef and dairy calves has not been established. This study followed thirty calves starting at birth over the course of their lives to understand how the upper respiratory tract (URT) microbiome is established and how it changes over time. Bilateral nasal swabs were taken at birth (0h) and then 6, 12, and 24 hours later and the microbiome will be evaluated. Similarly, bilateral NPS were taken from the calves’ dams at birth as well as a vaginal swab and rectal swab taken at birth to explore the maternal respiratory, vaginal, and fecal microbiomes as sources for inoculation in neonates.</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Cow upper respiratory tract microbiome differed at 0h from that of their offspring.</li> <li>The URT microbiomes of dairy cows following birth were more dispersed than in calves. There was greater dispersion at 24h in calf URT microbiomes as they became increasingly dispersed compared to 0h or 6h.</li> <li>At 12h, calf fecal microbiome was more dispersed than at 6h. Calf age accounted for 10.6, 9.9, and 31% of the variance in the beta diversity of left URT, right URT, and fecal microbiomes, respectively.</li> <li>No differences were found between the left and right URT microbiomes after adjusting for calf age.</li> </ul> <ol start="3"> <li> Influence of tulathromycin metaphylaxis on the whole blood transcriptome of high-risk stocker cattle (TX: Matthew Scott, Robert Valeris-Chacin, Paul Morley; MS: Amelia Woolums, Brandi Karisch)  Metaphylaxis strategies are effective in reducing herd-level risk of BRD-associated morbidity and mortality, but the degree of efficacy across populations is highly variable and this management scheme may contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and refractory infectious respiratory disease. Limited molecular research exists to evaluate the effect of these antimicrobials on the microbial population and host response, and therefore there is little understanding of what triggers these therapeutic discrepancies. Therefore, we enrolled a population of high-risk commercial heifer calves in a randomized control trial (tulathromycin metaphylaxis (META) or negative control (NOMETA), evaluating the host blood transcriptome overtime with respect to naturally occurring BRD.</li> </ol> <ul> <li>When comparing META and NOMETA cattle who did not develop BRD, differential gene expression enriched for regulation of G protein-coupled receptor signaling (increased in META) and interferon alpha and beta signaling (decreased in META). Predicted protein interactions indicated G-couple protein activity with pro-inflammatory cytokine suppression in META at d21.</li> <li>When evaluating META and NOMETA cattle who would develop BRD, no differences in gene expression was observed; this demonstrates a consistent genomic pattern of cattle in response to clinical BRD manifestation.</li> <li>When evaluating cattle prior to and at time of BRD diagnosis, gene expression involved in increased neutrophil degranulation, decreased biosynthesis of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), and decreased regulation of the immune system was identified at time of treatment.</li> </ul> <ol start="4"> <li>Pathogenomics of the respiratory Mycoplasma bovisstrains circulating in cattle. (TX-TAMU:  Robert Valeris-Chacin, Paul Morley, Matthew Scott, Lee Pinnell, Alexis Thompson; MS: Amelia Woolums).   This collaborative project includes VERO - Texas A&M University, TVMDL, Kansas State VDL, and Mississippi State University.</li> </ol> <ul> <li>In this project,  boviscultures isolated from ante and post-mortem specimens were subcultured in the VERO lab. Subsequently, the DNA was extracted and due to the low biomass of M. bovis growth, a whole genome amplification was performed as a previous step before library preparation. Oxford nanopore native barcoding and flow cells compatible with the new Q20+ chemistry were used for library preparation and sequencing. The long reads were assembled and polished with Flye and Medaka, respectively. The complete genomes were annotated in Prokka with a reference M. bovis annotated genome downloaded from NCBI. Roary was employed to elucidate the pangenome and Snippy was utilized for the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Scoary was employed to estimate associations between the presence of genes in the M. bovis isolates and their metadata (with FDR=0.2 and empirical P values<0.05). Phylogenetic trees were constructed in Mega. Abricate was utilized to browse for virulence genes (VFDB full database) and antibiotic resistance genes (MEGARes).</li> <li>We received 54 isolates from the TVMDL recovered from lung lesions collected in 2021-2022. The isolates display Mycoplasma-like growth.</li> <li>Thirty-three isolates were determined to be bovis via a species-specific qPCR (using the uvrC gene).</li> <li>Mycoplasma bovis isolates clustered primarily by the type of operation (beef versus dairy). Group 3164 (an IS30 family transposase) and group 4289 (a hypothetical protein) were more prevalent in bovis isolates from animals older than 100 days.</li> <li>Related genes were detected as more prevalent in bovis isolates from animals in beef operations, group 3157 (IS30 family transpose) and group 4288 (hypothetical protein).</li> <li>Three virulence genes were detected in all isolates: elongation factor Tu (adherence), BMP family ABC transporter substrate-binding protein (p48, involved in immune modulation), and alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase subunit beta (pdhB, adherence). Interestingly, one bovis isolate had a gene encoding tetracycline resistance (tet44).</li> </ul> <ol start="5"> <li> Identification of pathogen profiles and loci associated with resistance to BRD (WA: Holly Neibergs; TX-TAMU: C.D. Seabury).</li> </ol> <ul> <li>A USDA-NIFA funded proposal was continued to identify pathogen profiles and loci associated with enhanced resistance to BRD in 700 pre-weaned calves in Ohio. Bacteriology and virology are being used to identify pathogen profiles from mid-nasal and deep pharyngeal swabs and Illumina BovineHD BeadChips will be used for genotyping. Genome-wide association results will be compared with previous results in pre-weaned dairy calves in California and New Mexico. Sample collection is now complete, bacteriology and virology samples are submitted for diagnostic testing and DNA extraction of blood samples is ongoing.</li> </ul> <ol start="6"> <li>Initial levels and duration of specific BRSV-IgG-1 transferred from maternal colostrum or a colostrum replacer product to the respiratory tract [nasal secretions and bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF)] of dairy calves. (AL: Manuel Chamorro; MS: Amelia Woolums).   Colostrum derived antibodies against respiratory viruses are of major importance to reduce dairy calf morbidity and mortality associated with respiratory disease. Re-transfer of specific antibodies (i.e., IgG-1) to the upper respiratory tract has been previously described in dairy calves and play an important role on clinical protection; however, high levels of specific IgG-1 in the upper and lower respiratory tracts may negatively affect intranasal vaccination efficacy due to interference.</li> </ol> <ul> <li>AL and MS are evaluating the initial levels and decay of colostrum derived BRSV-IgG-1 in the respiratory tract (nasal secretions and BALF) of dairy calves fed maternal colostrum or a colostrum replacement at birth. Results from this study are preliminary and BRSV IgG-1 testing has not been performed. The mean serum IgG levels at 48 hours of are significantly greater in dairy calves receiving 6 L of maternal colostrum >22% Brix during the first 6 hours of life compared with dairy calves receiving 300 g of IgG from a colostrum replacement product during the same time frame (31 g/L vs. 15.5 g/L, respectively).</li> </ul>     Objective 2:  To develop and validate methodologies for accurate BRD diagnosis, objective risk assessment, and surveillance to detect new trends in BRD occurrence. <ol> <li> Assessment of BRD pathophysiology and development of diagnostics (TN: Lear; SD: Chase). SD provided the BVDV 1b BJ strain to TN for use in research relative to pathophysiology and diagnostics of BRD related pathogens. The study is currently ongoing with active collection of data. Expect study completion is fall 2024.</li> </ol>   Objective 3:  To develop and validate management practices and responsibly applied therapeutic and preventative interventions, such as vaccines, antimicrobials, and immunomodulators, to minimize the impact of BRD on cattle, producers, and society. <ol> <li> Comparison of the immune response and nasal microbiome following intranasal vaccination against respiratory viruses in newborn dairy calves on days 1 or 14 of age. (GA: Roberto Palomares, MS: Florencia Meyer):  Intranasal vaccination of neonatal calves is a strategy to circumvent vaccine antigen interference by maternal antibody and to prevent BRD. Little is known about the development and function of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue in the URT of newborn calves and what factors, including the commensal microbiome, contribute to this early development.</li> </ol> <ul> <li>In this study 24 newborn dairy calves were randomly assigned to be intransally vaccinated on day 1 (n=12) or 14 (n=12) of life. Blood, nasal secretions and nasal swab samples were collected once a week for 8 weeks (starting between 6 and 24 h after birth) to compare the immune response and nasal microbiome.</li> </ul>   <ol start="2"> <li> Evaluation of effect of intranasal mineral (Cu, Zn & Mg) administration on bovine respiratory microbiome after stress, and the effect of intranasal administration on health status, nasal microbiome, and immune response of calves challenged with Bovine herpes virus 1. (AL: Manuel Chamorro, MS: Florencia Meyer,  GA:  Roberto Palomares).  </li> </ol> <ul> <li>This study was completed in two parts: one was done to determine if intranasal administration of a mineral formulation in dairy calves has the capacity to reduce haemolytica and P. multocida growth, and the effects on the composition and abundance of respiratory microbiome, before and after transportation stress.</li> <li>The second part of the study evaluated the effect of a mineral solution administered intranasally to calves before and after experimental BHV-1 infection on health status, bacterial growth, microbiome changes of the upper respiratory tract. The field portion of this study (IBR challenge, clinical evaluation, intranasal mineral treatment, and sample collection) was completed. Analysis of samples collected is in process.    </li> </ul>   <ol start="3"> <li> Evaluation of the stress-reducing effect of trace mineral injection in beef calves. (AL: João Bittar, GA: Roberto Palomares). </li> </ol> <ul> <li>Thirty beef calves were randomly assigned to 2 groups: ITM + modified-live virus vaccine (MLV) (n = 15) and ITM + saline SC (CONT) (n = 15). The calves were exposed to 3 types of stress: MLV vaccination (d0), nasal aerosol with bovine viral diarrhea virus-2 (BVDV-2) challenge (d5), and liver biopsy (d26). Serum cortisol concentration showed strong associations with the percentage of CD8+, BVDV2-SNA, and WC1CD25+ cells, and rectal temperature. The highest cortisol was reported 3 days after aerosol BVDV-2 challenge. Serum cortisol was decreased in ITM-treated calves 3 days post-BVDV-2 challenge, compared with CONT calves, with an average decrease of 18.5 ng/μL.  The ITM-treated calves were heavier and healthier (P < .01) than the CONT calves.</li> </ul>   <ol start="4"> <li> Transcriptomic profile of respiratory mucosa and lymphoid tissue in dairy calves challenged with BVDV and BHV1 after vaccination and trace minerals injection (GA: Roberto Palomares, TX: Matthew Scott).  The objective is to assess the transcriptomic profile of central and peripheral lymphoid tissue in dairy calves challenged with BVDV + BHV1 following vaccination and trace mineral injection (TMI).  This work is in progress. </li> <li> Evalution of the effects of Bacillus subtilis supplementation on health and weight gain in stockers on grass (MS: Brandi Karisch, Kelsey Harvey; TX: Reinaldo Cooke, Shay Mackey). In work with researchers at TX, MS evaluated the effects of a probiotic on health and growth in stockers on grass pastures fed dried distillers grains at 1% of body weight, with or without Bovacillus (Chr Hansen A/S) at 2 g/steer/d.  Cattle were weighted at days - 1 + 0, 14, 28, 56, and 90, and they were scored daily for signs of BRD.  12 pastures with 10 steers per pasture were randomly allocated to receive either treatment (n = 6 pastures per treatment).</li> </ol> <ul> <li>As of January 2024 the trial was completed. The results indicated a trend toward an effect of supplementation to increase weight gain (P= 0.09), but no difference in number of BRD treatments (P = 1.0).  However, there was a trend toward increased number of CON cattle dropping out due to disease (P = 0.08).  The decreased number of cattle dropping out due to severe disease may have indicated health benefits of treatment.</li> </ul>   <ol start="6"> <li>Evaluation of the effects of postweaning commingling and transport on bovine respiratory coronavirus shedding in dairy calves (MS: Florencia Meyer, Amelia Woolums; TX: Matthew Scott, Paul Morley, in collaboration with Noelle Noyes at the lead institution University of Minnesota). MS, TX and also the University of Minnesota will evaluate the impact of postweaning commingling and/or truck transport on bovine respiratory coronavirus shedding in dairy calves over 7 days post weaning.  Host immune gene expression, cortisol production, and proinflammatory cytokine production will be assessed before and after commingling and/or transport.</li> </ol> <ul> <li>As of January 2024, planning of the research is underway. Data collection will begin in summer 2024.</li> </ul>   <ol start="7"> <li> Metaphylaxis for respiratory disease in high-risk stocker cattle: impacts on Mannheimia haemolytica, the microbiome and the resistome (MS: Amelia Woolums, Brandi Karisch, Will Crosby; TX: Paul Morley, Lee Pinnell, Enrique Doster). In high risk stocker cattle receiving macrolide metaphylaxis or not, MS and TX 1) compared prevalence of nasopharyngeal (NP) MDR M. haemolytica isolates, AMR genes, and MGE, using culture, susceptibility testing, and whole genome sequencing; 2) compared NP metagenomes, using 16S amplicon sequencing; 3) compared the NP resistome, using target-enriched sequencing of AMR and MGE gene sequences; and 4) developed and used a novel target-enriched sequencing method to compare absolute abundance of M. haemolytica in metagenomes. This work provided a never- before reported description of the ecology of respiratory AMR in cattle receiving metaphylaxis, revealing targets for mitigating AMR.</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Results from completed field work were reported in 2023. As of January 2024 whole genome sequencing (WGS) of 244 haemolytica isolates (138 from META cattle and 106 from NO META cattle) collected at on day 0, 21, or 70 from cattle across all 4 trials is completed.  M. haemolytica isolates from cattle treated with META contained more AMR genes than cattle not receiving META, even though cattle that received META were less likely to require BRD treatment. </li> <li>Nasopharyngeal microbiome assessment indicated that Mycoplasma sp were significantly more abundant in cattle that had been treated with antimicrobials than cattle that had not.</li> <li>Quite surprisingly, assessment of the resistome indicated that the abundance of antimicrobial resistance genes for macrolide antimicrobials decreased after cattle received macrolide META. This was unexpected because bacteria isolated from these cattle displayed high rates of macrolide resistance. In contrast, abundance of aminoglycoside resistance genes increased, although no cattle were given aminoglycoside antimicrobials.</li> </ul> <ol start="8"> <li> Integrated transcriptome and multi-tissue mineral analyses of stocker cattle fed complexed or inorganic trace mineral supplement. (MS:  Kelsey Harvey, Brandi Karisch, Amelia Woolums; TX:  Matthew Scott.  Trace element supplementation is a common nutritional practice in post-weaned beef cattle production. Specific trace elements, such as copper and zinc, work together to promote T-cell-dependent immune function and humoral antibody production. However, trace element supplementation within a post-weaned beef production system often fails to recognize individual nutritional deficiencies and bioavailability of newly received cattle. Namely, this type of feeding practice may ultimately lead to over-supplementation. Additionally, the understanding of how beef cattle at high risk of developing BRD utilize trace minerals over time and their ability to combat inflammatory and infectious disease remain elusive. Therefore, our overall objective is to identify genomic mechanisms and spatial mineral trends related to trace mineral metabolism, central to inflammatory mediation and disease development, to better understand disease risk and mitigate prolonged inflammatory events.</li> </ol> <ul> <li>When comparing healthy cattle fed organically-sourced trace elements to inorganically-sourced trace elements, clear differences related to neutrophil function and degranulation (decreased in organic), MHC class I response and antigen presentation (increased in organic), T-cell proliferation and activity (increased in organic), and lipid/fatty acid metabolism (increased in organic).</li> <li>Further work is ongoing to evaluate the interactions between BRD acquisition and type of as-fed trace element supplement enrollment influence host gene expression, centered around inflammatory cytokine response and resolution.</li> </ul> Objective 4: To determine how attributes of cattle production systems including epidemiologic, societal, and economic forces contribute to BRD, and to develop ways to promote changes in those systems to reduce the occurrence of BRD and improve cattle health, welfare, productivity and antimicrobial stewardship. <ol> <li>Impact of management decisions during the cow-calf, backgrounding, and feedlot phases of beef production on BRD morbidity and mortality risks (TX: Matthew Scott, Sarah Capik; KS: Brad White, Bob Larson, David Amrine; MS: Kelsey Harvey, Brandi Karisch, Amelia Woolums). In this study TX, KS and MS will 1) examine the effect of vaccination twice during preweaning on preweaning performance and BRD morbidity and mortality during backgrounding; 2) quantify the impact of marketing decisions on BRD morbidity, mortality, and performance by comparing weaned beef calves sent directly to a backgrounding operation or sent via an auction market and order buyer; and 3) evaluate associations between pen and yard level management factors and health outcomes during the feedlot phase of production. We will also explore the impact of preweaning and marketing management decisions on inflammatory mediators and whether they are predictive of health outcomes or performance during backgrounding.</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Data collection for Specific Aims 1 and 2 are underway; year 2 of 3 is complete, with anticipated full statistical analyses to take place in spring 2025.</li> <li>Specific Aims 3 is complete and published. Relevant findings for Specific Aim 3 were that in certain instances (cattle weighing between 227–272 kg and group sizes of 100–175 head), having two water sources was associated with lower respiratory disease risk compared to only one water source, and that pen housing management factors were significantly associated with BRD incidence in the first 45 DOF, but effects were modified by demographic factors, such as arrival weight.</li> </ul>   Objective 5:  To promote dialogue and exchange among scientists, veterinarians, allied industry professionals and cattle producers to advance BRD research initiatives, to implement outreach, to disseminate research results, and to facilitate the translation of research findings to practical field applications.   <ol> <li> Organization of the Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium (BRDS) 2024: Challenging Paradigms in August 7-8, 2024, in Denver, Colorado, in conjunction with the Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC) Summer 2024 meeting. Investigators that are part of the organizing committee include: Sharif Aly, Terry Lehenbauer, and Sarah Depenbrock (CA), Paul Morley (TX-TAMU), John Richeson (TX-WTAMU), Natalia Cernicchiaro (KS), Amelia Woolums (MS), Grant Dewell (IA), and Roger Saltman.  The symposium will feature a balance of presentations by scientists and veterinary consultants working with BRD, with ample time for discussion between the audience and the speakers' sessions.  A scientific poster session for researchers working on BRD will be held at the conference.  More information can be found at www.brdsymposium.org.</li> </ol> <ol start="2"> <li>Submission of letter of intent and full grant proposal to submit to USDA NIFA AFRI conference grant to support Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium (BRDS) 2024.  Investigators: Sharif Aly, Terry Lehenbauer, and Sarah Depenbrock (CA), Paul Morley (TX-TAMU), John Richeson (TX-WTAMU), Natalia Cernicchiaro (KS), Amelia Woolums (MS), Grant Dewell (IA), and Roger Saltman.</li> </ol> <ol start="3"> <li>International collaboration with the University of São Paulo, Bovine Health Symposium (Simpósio Internacional de Sanidade Bovina) (SD: Chris Chase; MS: Amelia Woolums).  Project members and collaborators continue to engage with veterinarians and scientists at the University of São Paulo to present current information regarding pathogenesis, immunity, and resistance to bovine respiratory diseases, with symposia occurring in 2022 and 2024. </li> </ol>   Objective 6: To assess the economic impact of BRD across different sectors of cattle industry. <ol> <li>Assessment of the economic impact of late day pulmonary disease in feedlot cattle.  KS (Brad White, Bob Larson), TX (Matthew Scott), and MS (Amelia Woolums), with other collaborators, are working together on a new project to characterize late day pulmonary disease in feedlot cattle.  This work has just been funded and so is in the early stages of planning, but an assessment of the economic impact of late day pulmonary disease in feedlot cattle will be completed as part of this work. </li> </ol>   External funding obtained from Project activities: USDA-NIFA #2023-67015-39711 USDA-NIFA #2020-67016-31469 USDA-NIFA #2019-67015-29845 USDA-NIFA #2019-67017-29111

Publications

Website:  www.brdsymposium.org   Peer-reviewed publications Credille BC, Capik SF, Credille A, Crossley BM, Blanchard P, Woolums AR, Lehenbauer TW.  Agreement of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica isolates from preweaned dairy calves with bovine respiratory disease.  Am J Vet Res. 2023.  Aug 14;84(11):ajvr.23.06.0140. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.23.06.0140. Print 2023 Nov 1. PMID: 37558231. Crosby WB, Karisch BB, Hiott LM, Pinnell LJ, Pittman A, Frye JG, Jackson CR, Loy JD, Epperson WB, Blanton J Jr, Capik SF, Morley PS.  Woolums AR. Tulathromycin metaphylaxis increases nasopharyngeal isolation of multidrug resistant Mannheinia haemolytica in stocker heifers.  Front Vet Sci.  2023.  Nov 20;10:1256997, doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1256997.  PMID: 38053814.  Green MM, Woolums AR, Karisch BB, Harvey KM, Capik SF, Scott MA.  Influence of the at-arrival host transcriptome on bovine respiratory disease incidence during backgrounding.  Vet Sci. 2023. 2Mar 10; 10:211. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10030211  Abdelfattah EM, Aly SS, Lehenbauer TW, Karle BM.  Effects of simplified group housing on behavior, growth performance and health of preweaned dairy calves on a California dairy. J Dairy Sci, IN PRESS  <a href="https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-23820">https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-23820</a>  Megahed AA, Bittar JHJ, Palomares RA, Mercadante VRG, Dias NW. Evaluation of the stress-reducing effect of trace mineral injection in beef calves. J Vet Intern Med. 2023 May-Jun;37(3):1278-1285. doi: 10.1111/jvim.16721. PMID: 37186325. Li Y, Liu M., Xu J, Koo C, Granberry F, Locke S, Palomares R, Habing G, Saif, LWang L, Wang Q.  Isolation and characterization of bovine coronavirus strains from dairy cows, dairy calves and beef cattle. 2024. Abstract.  Conference of Research Workers in Animals Diseases. Chicago IL.  Donlon JD, McAloon CG, Hyde R, Aly S, Pardon B, Mee JF.  A systematic review of the relationship between housing environmental factors and bovine respiratory disease in preweaned calves – Part 1: Ammonia, air microbial count, particulate matter and endotoxins. The Veterinary Journal 300-302 (2023) 106031. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.106031">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.106031</a> Perkins-Oines, S., Dias, N., Krafsur, G., Abdelsalam, K., Perry, G., Ensley, D., Jones, C., Chase, C.C.L., 2023. The effect of neonatal vaccination for bovine respiratory disease in the face of a dual challenge with bovine viral diarrhea virus and Mannheimia hemolytica. Vaccine 41, 3080–3091. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.04.005">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.04.005</a>  Reddout, C., Hernandez, L.P., Chase, C.C.L., Beck, P., White, F., Salak-Johnson, J.L., 2023. Immune phenotype is differentially affected by changing the type of bovine respiratory disease vaccine administered at revaccination in beef heifers. Frontiers Vet Sci 10, 1161902. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1161902">https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1161902</a>  Donlon JD, McAloon CG, Hyde R, Aly S, Pardon B, Mee JF.  A systematic review of the relationship between housing environmental factors and bovine respiratory disease in preweaned calves – Part 2: Temperature, relative humidity and beddingThe Veterinary Journal 300-302 (2023) 106032 <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.106032">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.106032</a> Rojas, H. A., White, B. J., Amrine, D. E., Larson, R. L., & Capik, S. F. (2022). Associations between pen management characteristics and bovine respiratory disease incidence in the first 45 days post-arrival in feedlot cattle. The Bovine Practitioner, 56(1), 40-52. https://doi.org/10.21423/BOVINE-VOL56NO1P40-52 Rojas, H. A., White, B. J., Amrine, D. E., Larson, R. L., Capik, S. F., & Depenbusch, B. E. (2022). Impact of Water Sources and Shared Fence Lines on Bovine Respiratory Disease Incidence in the First 45 Days on Feed. Veterinary Sciences, 9(11), 646. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9110646   Research abstracts:  Ramirez B, McAllister H, Capik S, Valeris-Chacin R, Harvey K, Karisch B, Woolums A, Morley PS, Pinnell L, Scott M.  Update on the molecular epidemiological assessment of beef cattle management   systems.  Conference for Research Workers in Animal Disease (CRWAD).             Chicago IL.  January 20-23, 2024.  #P166. Ramirez B, McAllister H, Capik S, Valeris-Chacin R, Harvey K, Woolums A, Karisch B, Scott M. Longitudinal blood RNA-Seq analysis of cattle to determine the impact of vaccination and marketing on clinical BRD.  Conference for Research Workers in Animal Disease (CRWAD).  Chicago IL.  January 20-23, 2024.  #P131.                   Capik S, Larson R, White B, Amrine D, Karisch B, Harvey K, Parish J, Woolums A, McAllister H, Gouvea V, Scott M.  2023 update on the impact of management decisions on BRD morbidity, mortality, and performance in beef calves.  Conference for Research Workers in Animal Disease (CRWAD).  Chicago IL.  January 20-23, 2024.  #P106. Prosser H, Ramirez B, Valeris-Chacin R, Crosby W, Morley PS, Woolums A, Karisch B, Scott M.  Transcriptome analysis of high risk stocker cattle associates consistent inflammation-related pathways with BRD.  Conference for Research Workers in Animal Disease (CRWAD).  Chicago IL.  January 20-23, 2024.  #P063.              Crosby WB, Karisch BB, Hiott LM, Pinnell LJ, Doster E, Wolfe C, PIttman A, Frye JG, Jackson CR, Loy JD, Epperson WB, Blanton Jr. J, Capik S, Morley PS, Woolums AR.  Effect of metaphylaxis on the nasopharyngeal microbiome, resistome, and Mannheimia haemolytica in stocker heifers.  Conference for Research Workers in Animal Disease (CRWAD).  Chicago IL.  January 20-23, 2024.  #P002. Doster E, Wolfe C, Crosby WB, Clawson ML, Woolums AR, PInnell LJ.  Morley PS.  Enriching without culture: target-enriched metagenomics allows for strain-level characterization of M. haemolytica.  Conference for Research Workers in Animal Disease (CRWAD).             Chicago IL.  January 20-23, 2024.  #195. Tamm S, Crosby W, Pinnell L, Doster E, Newcomer B, Funk J, Capik S, Wolfe C, Richeson J, Gow S, Valeris-Chacin R, Woolums A, Morley PS.  Environmental, group and individual sampling for characterizing the ecology of Mannheimia haemolytica.  Conference for Research Workers in Animal Disease (CRWAD).  Chicago IL.  January 20-23, 2024.  #196.   Scott M. A., McAllister H. R., Green M. M., Woolums A.R., Karisch B.B., Harvey K. M., Capik S. F. Influence of modified-live viral vaccination and sale strategy on the developing immune system of beef cattle. 2023. Academy of Veterinary Consultants Summer Conference. Denver, CO. McAllister H. R., Capik S. F., Woolums A. R., Karisch B. B., Harvey K. M., Scott M. A. Effect of vaccination and marketing strategies on gene expression patterns in beef cattle via time course RNA-Seq. 2023. Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD). Chicago, IL. Scott M. A., Harvey K. M., Karisch B. B., Woolums A. R., Russell J. R. 2023. Integrated Transcriptome and Multi-Tissue Mineral Analyses of Healthy Stocker Cattle Fed Complexed or Inorganic Trace Mineral Supplement. Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. Milwaukee, WI Dudley E, Lamsal S, Morley PS, Scott M, Pinnell L, Kittana H, Thompson A, Valeris-Chacin R. (2024) Pathogenomics of the respiratory Mycoplasma bovis strains circulating in cattle. Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD). Chicago, IL   Magazine Articles Chase C.  Mycoplasma bovis: A challenging pathogen. American Dairymen, November 10, 2022. <a href="https://www.americandairymen.com/articles/mycoplasma-bovis-challenging-pathogen">https://www.americandairymen.com/articles/mycoplasma-bovis-challenging-pathogen</a> Chase C. Animal Health Matters: Water, the No.1 Nutrient. Farm Forum, February 7, 2023. <a href="https://www.farmforum.net/story/news/columnists/2023/02/07/animal-health-matters-water-the-no-1-nutrient/69880594007/">https://www.farmforum.net/story/news/columnists/2023/02/07/animal-health-matters-water-the-no-1-nutrient/69880594007/</a> Chase C.  Support material on mRNA vaccines.  National Institute of Animal Agriculture, May 2023. <a href="https://www.animalagriculture.org/resources/">https://www.animalagriculture.org/resources/</a> Chase C. Make a protection connection. Working Ranch June 2023; 18,4:44-46. <a href="https://www.qgdigitalpublishing.com/publication/?i=793186&p=1&view=issueViewer">https://www.qgdigitalpublishing.com/publication/?i=793186&p=1&view=issueViewer</a> Chase C. Is there a future for mRNA vaccines in commercial cattle production? Progressive Cattle, September 2023, 13,9:36-37. <a href="https://www.agproud.com/articles/57903-is-there-a-future-for-mrna-vaccines-in-commercial-cattle-production">https://www.agproud.com/articles/57903-is-there-a-future-for-mrna-vaccines-in-commercial-cattle-production</a>

Impact Statements

• The molecular epidemiological assessment of beef cattle health management provides new information and data regarding the impact of management on hundreds of host immune, inflammatory, and metabolic pathways. To our knowledge, this project is the first of its kind in beef cattle research. The information reveals potential targets for intervention (pharmacologic or otherwise) to improve cattle health. The data are publicly available and can be used by other researchers to test hypotheses related to the impact of management on host response.
• The neonatal microbiome study serves as the first of its kind to holistically evaluate the development of the microbial community in neonatal cattle, and compare neonatal microbiomes to that of their dams. These new insights provide foundational information regarding how microbial ecology relates to neonatal development, and may lead to the discovery of novel associations and predictors of respiratory disease during the cow-calf production phase.
• The project to assess the blood transcriptome in cattle receiving tulathromycin metaphylaxis project may provide experimental evidence for judicious antimicrobial usage to help minimize AMR development and maximize therapeutic success against BRD. The study highlights a potential secondary mechanism of action for tulathromycin in high-risk stocker cattle which may drive future investigations regarding secondary pharmacokinetics with respect to anti-inflammatory effect and genomic mechanisms in cattle which eventually develop BRD.
• The results of the assessment of blood transcriptome in cattle receiving tulathromycin metaphylaxis indicate a consistent inflammatory response at time of BRD treatment. This information may be leveraged for the development of predictive assays or novel treatment schemes against BRD.
• Evaluation of the pathogenomics of Mycoplasma bovis allowing for the elucidation of virulence mechanisms and the opportunity to improve the current molecular diagnostics of BRD. In fact, the M. bovis isolates will be used in a Hatch capacity project aiming to develop a targeted enrichment methodology to evaluate the M. bovis strain diversity.
• The project to identify pathogen profiles and loci associated with resistance to BRD will further the understanding of the etiology of BRD and the role that specific pathogens play in BRD in beef feedlot animals and in dairy calves; it will also provide additional genomic tools for selection of animals resistant/resilient to BRD.
• Understanding the duration of maternal immunity in the upper respiratory tract of calves could provide insight on clinical protection of colostral antibodies against BRD overtime. Additionally, data from duration of specific colostral antibodies in the respiratory tract of calves could improve intranasal vaccination efficacy by improving vaccination timing.
• Although the study in congoing, future impacts include the elucidation of immunological impacts of fetal exposure to BVDV, a BRD pathogen, and how this early life exposure will impact the health and risk of development of clinical BRD during calf hood.
• Determining whether day 1 versus day 14 priming IN vaccination gives better immunity to dairy heifers provides information to support more effective prevention of BRD and protection of their future health status.
• Elucidating the influence of nasal mineral administration on the microbiome ecosystem in stressed weaned dairy calves submitted to transportation (that were subsequently challenged with BHV1) could lead to new methods to prevent or decrease BRD in stressed populations.
• Intranasal minerals offer an opportunity to study alternatives to metaphylactic antibiotics for the prevention of BRD in beef calves after arrival to stocker or feedlot operations.
• Identifying gene expression affected by vaccination, trace mineral status, and virus infection provides new knowledge to help explain the differences in the observed enhanced immune response and improved health status of animals treated with ITM, providing a foundation for development and testing of new strategies to improve cattle health through improved immunity.
• The research evaluating bovine respiratory coronavirus shedding post co-mingling and transport will provide new knowledge regarding the relative impact of these two stressors, which will provide data to support the development of new models to predict disease, and new approaches to prevent disease, in calves and other hosts that are susceptible to disease after co-mingling and transport
• Research to evaluate the impact of tulathromycin metaphylaxis on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) demonstrated that information obtained by metagenomic sequencing can be different than that obtained by bacterial culture and in vitro susceptibility testing. This information will improve the application and interpretation of results of ongoing AMR research in cattle health management.
• The study evaluating the impacts of trace mineral supplementation on host whole blood transcriptomes represents the first reporting of combined host transcriptome and tissue mineral concentration in cattle treated with trace minerals. It provides new foundational knowledge regarding the inflammatory, immune, and metabolic system influences of trace mineral supplementation, which could eventually support more precise and effective use of trace mineral supplements.
• The project assessing preweaning vaccination and postweaning commingling will provide new information regarding the effects of common preweaning and marketing management decisions, which will support improved decision making by veterinarians and cattle producers trying to decide which practices have the greatest impact on calf health.
• The 2024 BRD Symposium will bring together scientists, educators, veterinarians, producers, and policy makers to explore and challenge our paradigms by sharing the latest BRD research, emerging management technologies, and systems that can be translated into industry practices that prevent and control BRD in beef and dairy cattle

Date of Annual Report: 03/13/2025

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/18/2025 - 01/18/2025
Period the Report Covers: 01/24/2024 - 01/24/2025

Participants

Amelia Woolums (Mississippi State University), Andrea Lear (University of Tennessee), Brad White (Kansas State University), Bradly Ramirez (Texas A&M University), Brennen Hunt (Texas A&M University), Cassidy Klima (Texas A&M University), Enrique Doster (Texas A&M University), Eric Cheng (Kansas State University), Ethan Dudley (Texas A&M University), Fabiola Oyervides (Texas A&M University), Florencia Meyer (Mississippi State University), Grant Dewell (Iowa State University), Haleigh Prosser (Texas A&M University), Hudson McAllister (Texas A&M University), James Averill (Michigan State University), Kathe Bjork (USDA-NIFA), Kushal Lamsal (Texas A&M University), Lee Pinnell (Texas A&M University), Marc Caldwell (University of Tennessee), Matthew Scott (Texas A&M University), Merrilee Thoresen (Mississippi State University), Nicolas Hacker (Texas A&M University), Paul Morley (Texas A&M University), Robert Valeris-Chacin (Texas A&M University), Santiago Cornejo (Mississippi State University), Tim Sullivan (USDA-NIFA), Valeria Lugo Mesa (Texas A&M University), William Crosby (Mississippi State University)

Brief Summary of Minutes

2025 Meeting Agenda and Items Discussed:

Date: January 18, 2025

Location: Chicago, IL. Marriott Magnificent Mile, Chicago C (5^th floor)

Time: 12:00-3:00 pm CST

In attendance: (existing members, interested, and graduate students of members)

Amelia Woolums, Andrea Lear, Brad White, Bradly Ramirez, Brennen Hunt, Cassidy Klima, Enrique Doster, Eric Cheng, Ethan Dudley, Fabiola Oyervides, Florencia Meyer, Grant Dewell, Haleigh Prosser, Hudson McAllister, James Averill, Kathe Bjork, Kushal Lamsal, Lee Pinnell, Marc Caldwell, Matthew Scott, Merrilee Thoresen, Nicolas Hacker, Paul Morley, Robert Valeris-Chacin, Santiago Cornejo, Tim Sullivan, Valeria Lugo Mesa, William Crosby

Time Topic

12:00-12:15 pm Introductions and welcoming new/interested members

12:15-12:40 pm Meeting authorization and updates from Administrative Advisor Dr. James Averill

12:40-1:00 pm USDA-NIFA news, budget, and competitive programs updates from Drs. Kathe Bjork and Tim Sullivan

1:00-1:15 pm Updates and debriefing from 2024 Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium (August 7-8, 2024) from Drs. Amelia Woolums and Grant Dewell

1:15-2:30 pm Presentation of station reports from attending stations

2:30-3:00 pm Business meeting

Items discussed

Final annual station reports/activities for NIMSS – due March 18, 2025 (60 days following annual meeting)

NC1192 project date ends September 30, 2026; renewal/project proposal for next five years due December 1, 2025
- Writing committee headed by Drs. Matthew Scott, Robert Valeris-Chacin

Future planning: CRWAD 2026, electronic discussion on new objectives for project renewal (2026-2031), new technical leadership

3:00 pm Meeting adjourned

Accomplishments

Objective 1: To elucidate pathways by which host characteristics, pathogen virulence mechanisms, and environmental impacts interact to produce BRD, and to develop strategies to mitigate detrimental factors and enhance protective mechanisms. <ul> <li>Molecular epidemiological assessment of beef cattle management systems: how markets and vaccines influence health and disease(TX: Sarah Capik, Matthew Scott, Paul Morley, Lee Pinnell; MS: Kelsey Harvey, Brandi Karisch, Amelia Woolums). <ul> <li>Beef cattle production systems continue to face challenges with BRD, partly due to limited vertical integration and a lack of understanding about how early-life management influences disease risk in later production stages. Two key management decisions with significant potential to affect BRD risk – preweaning vaccination and marketing strategy – remain poorly understood in terms of their long-term effects. Specifically, the ways these decisions influence host immunity and the host-pathogen relationship as cattle transition through production phases are unclear. We hypothesize that management practices aimed at reducing BRD risk affect host immune responses, cellular activity, and the composition of microbial communities. To test this, we will employ a time-course, multi-omics approach to analyze 1) whole blood transcriptomes and 2) microbial DNA and RNA from the upper respiratory tract of cattle.</li> <li>At the second timepoint (T2), 26 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between VAX and NOVAX groups, and 12 DEGs were identified between BRD and NO BRD cattle. At the third timepoint (T3), there were 47 DEGs between VAX and NOVAX and 10 DEGs between BRD and NO BRD. At the fourth timepoint (T4), 32 DEGs were found between VAX and NOVAX, while 51 DEGs were identified between BRD and NO BRD. Over time, VAX cattle showed increased expression of genes associated with cellular response to stress, neutrophil degranulation, and antigen processing and presentation compared to NOVAX cattle. Cattle that later developed BRD during the backgrounding phase exhibited elevated expression of genes involved in oxygenation, cellular metabolism, and cytokine signaling compared to those that remained healthy. Timepoint comparisons, adjusted for VAX and BRD effects, revealed 10,397 DEGs across all timepoints. These DEGs were enriched for pathways linked to both innate and adaptive immune responses and interleukin signaling.</li> <li>At the fourth timepoint (T4), 3, 4, and 18 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified for marketing strategy, vaccination, and BRD during backgrounding, respectively. Genes associated with later BRD development were enriched for pathways related to oxygenation and lipid metabolism (both decreased in BRD) as well as cellular scavenging and leukocyte migration (both increased in BRD). At the fifth timepoint (T5), 834, 56, and 364 DEGs were identified for marketing strategy, vaccination, and BRD, respectively. Vaccination-related genes were enriched for extracellular matrix organization, neutrophil degranulation, antimicrobial peptides, interleukin signaling, and scavenging by class A receptors (all increased in the NOVAC group). Marketing-related genes were enriched for neutrophil degranulation, interleukin signaling, type I and II interferon signaling, cellular response to stress, and cornified envelope formation and keratinization (all increased in the AUC group). BRD-related genes were enriched for cytokine signaling, interferon signaling, interleukin signaling, neutrophil degranulation, and phagocytosis (all increased in BRD cases). At the sixth timepoint, 135, 17, and 3 DEGs were identified for marketing strategy, vaccination, and BRD, respectively. Marketing-related genes at this timepoint were enriched for cell tight junction formation, cornified envelope formation, keratinization, and interleukin signaling (all increased in the AUC group).</li> <li>The development of methodology to simultaneously extract and evaluate microbial DNA and RNA from nasopharyngeal swabs has been successful. RNA from these samples were considered degraded, therefore only DNA was sequenced with the anticipation of RNA from nasopharyngeal swabs acquired from Year 3 cattle to be utilized for molecular assessment. DNA sequencing is finished, with bioinformatic processing and analyses underway. Final reporting is expected by fall 2025.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Influence of tulathromycin metaphylaxis on the whole blood transcriptome of high-risk stocker cattle(TX: Matthew Scott, Robert Valeris-Chacin, Paul Morley; MS: Amelia Woolums, Brandi Karisch). <ul> <li>The elusive nature of BRD in terms diagnosis and prediction has made mass antimicrobial administration at facility entry, or metaphylaxis, a standard practice in beef cattle production. While effective in reducing herd-level BRD morbidity and mortality, its efficacy varies widely across populations and may contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and refractory respiratory disease. Limited molecular research has explored the impact of these antimicrobials on microbial populations and host responses, leaving therapeutic discrepancies poorly understood. To address this, we conducted a randomized control trial with high-risk commercial heifer calves, comparing tulathromycin metaphylaxis (META) to a negative control (NOMETA) while evaluating host blood transcriptomes over time in relation to naturally occurring BRD.</li> <li>At arrival, comparisons between healthy cattle and those treated once or two or more times revealed 1 and 4 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. Comparing at-arrival samples to those collected at the first BRD treatment identified 3,882 DEGs. Analyses of healthy cattle versus those treated during the first or second week of the study identified 1,715 and 767 DEGs, respectively. Additionally, 44 DEGs were observed when comparing first versus subsequent treatments. Comparing treatments during the first versus second week revealed 1,518 DEGs. Common functional enrichments across these analyses included increased neutrophil degranulation, reduced biosynthesis of specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs), and diminished immune system regulation in BRD-affected cattle.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Targeted transcriptome analysis of cattle persistently infected (PI) with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) (TN: Andrea Lear; AU: Thomas Passler). <ul> <li>The purpose of this study was to use transcriptome analysis to investigate the long-term immune status of adult PI cattle and offer insight into the potential mechanistic establishment of persistent BVDV infection.</li> <li>Significant findings: Transcriptome changes indicated chronic upregulation of interferon-gamma (IFNG) with an unexpected expression of related genes, indicating a chronic pro-inflammatory state in PI cattle compared to healthy controls.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Identification of pathogen profiles and loci associated with enhanced resistance to bovine respiratory disease (WSU: Holly Neibergs; TAMU: Christopher Seabury). <ul> <li>Bacteriology and virology are being used to identify pathogen profiles from mid-nasal and deep pharyngeal swabs and Illumina BovineHD BeadChips will be used for genotyping. Genome-wide association results will be compared with previous results in pre-weaned dairy calves in California and New Mexico. Sample collection is complete, bacteriology and virology samples are submitted for diagnostic testing and DNA extraction and genotyping of a custom panel is also complete.</li> <li>Additionally, eight other dairies have been evaluated for BRD and genotyped and have been analyzed. In Washington and Idaho, approximately 4500 pre-weaned calves were genotyped and about 5200 post-weaned calves were genotyped and analyzed for loci associated with BRD. In Georgia, over 15,000 calves were genotyped and analyzed for loci associated with BRD. A gene set enrichment analysis is currently being completed.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Experimental infection and viral pathogenesis of H5N1 in jersey cattle (AU: Manuel Chamorro, MSU: Florencia Meyer, UGA: Daniel Perez, Roberto Palomares) <ul> <li>This study was developed as a collaboration with Dr. Daniel Perez’s lab and the Animal Health Research Center (UGA-AHRC). In recent years, highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses have crossed the species barrier into multiple species, including dairy cattle, causing a significant decrease in milk production and rapid spread across multiple U.S. states in 2024. Previous studies have demonstrated that Holstein cows are susceptible to H5N1 infection. To investigate whether Jersey cows are susceptible to H5N1 infection and their potential as an experimental model, we inoculated three Jersey lactating cows intranasally and intramammarily with a human H5N1 influenza virus. Following inoculation, milk production rapidly decreased, and milk samples exhibited a colostrum-like yellow appearance. Milk production remained low for at least seven days. All three cows experienced high fever peaks within one day of inoculation. Infection was confirmed by high levels of viral RNA detected for several days in external and internal swabs of infected teats, and milk samples. On days 5, 6, and 7 post-infection, cows #2, #3, and #4, respectively, were euthanized for extensive tissue collection. vRNA levels were high and comparable between mammary tissues. We also collected tissues from the respiratory tract. vRNA was detected in the nasal cavity (ethmoid) of all three cows, and in the trachea of cows #2 and #4. Very low levels of vRNA were detected in the accessory lung of cows #3 and #4. All other tissues tested negative for vRNA. The low levels of vRNA detected in the respiratory tract suggest inefficient viral replication in this tissue. Conversely, the higher vRNA levels found in the mammary gland tissues confirm the tissue tropism of H5N1 for the mammary gland. These findings confirm that Jersey cows are susceptible to H5N1 infection and establish them as a valuable experimental model for studying disease pathogenesis and developing effective vaccines.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Objective 2: To develop and validate methodologies for accurate BRD diagnosis, objective risk assessment, and surveillance to detect new trends in BRD occurrence. <ul> <li>Respiratory disease in calves postweaning exposed to an in-utero BVDV infection (TN: Andrea Lear, Marc Caldwell; WSU: Korakrit Poonsuk). <ul> <li>The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term immunologic impacts of in-utero BVDV infection in weaned calves.</li> <li>Significant findings: Incomplete study, at the stage of final data analysis. Calves infected with BVDV at 200 days of gestation demonstrated decreased trends of pro-inflammatory cytokines when infected with Mannheimia hemolytica (MH), compared to controls. Data supports evidence of prolonged dysregulation of the immune response in calves transiently infected with BVDV, past the neonatal phase. Development of a saliva-based MH antibody titer using samples from this study is ongoing.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Objective 3: To develop and validate management practices and responsibly applied therapeutic and preventative interventions, such as vaccines, antimicrobials, and immunomodulators, to minimize the impact of BRD on cattle, producers, and society. <ul> <li>Evaluation of the effects of postweaning commingling and transport on bovine respiratory coronavirus shedding in dairy calves (MS: Florencia Meyer, Amelia Woolums; TX: Matthew Scott, Paul Morley, in collaboration with Noelle Noyes at the lead institution University of Minnesota). <ul> <li>This project seeks to evaluate the impact of postweaning commingling and/or truck transport on bovine respiratory coronavirus shedding in dairy calves over 7 days post weaning. Host immune gene expression, cortisol production, and proinflammatory cytokine production will be assessed before and after commingling and/or transport. The rationale is that disease is often worse in animals that have been transported and co-mingled, but it is not known which of these experiences contributes more to disease. Data that defines differences between transport and co-mingling are surprisingly rare. This research will separate the effects of co-mingling and transport on susceptibility of calves to infection by bovine coronavirus, and it will also incorporate assessment of host responses to assess the impact of individual animal stress and immunosuppression on virus shedding.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Transcriptomic profile of respiratory mucosa and lymphoid tissue in dairy calves challenged with BVDV and BHV1 after vaccination and trace minerals injection (UGA: Roberto Palomares, TX: Matthew Scott). <ul> <li>Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a major disease complex affecting the cattle industry globally, with viral agents like BVDV, BRSV, BHV1, and BPI3V commonly involved. These infections often lead to immunosuppression, increasing susceptibility to other pathogens and worsening disease severity. Strategies to control BRD include multivalent vaccines, biosecurity measures, and early clinical diagnosis, although vaccination results are variable, particularly due to interference from maternally transferred antibodies. Intranasal vaccination appears to be effective in overcoming this interference and stimulating a mucosal immune response. Additionally, injectable trace minerals (ITM) have shown benefits when used with BRD vaccination. However, little is understood regarding the influence these tactics have on immunomodulation and cellular mobilization within bovine lymphoid tissue is largely unknown. The objective is to assess the transcriptomic profile of central and peripheral lymphoid tissue in dairy calves challenged with BVDV + BHV1 following vaccination and trace mineral injection (TMI).</li> <li>From splenic tissue samples, one gene co-expression module (“yellow”) was positively associated with vaccination in splenic tissue; this module possessed genes related to cellular filament organization and development, Notch signaling, and collagen biosynthesis. Another module (“purple”) was negatively associated with trace minerals administration, related to the regulation of T-cell activation, antigen processing and presentation via MHC class II, complement regulation, interferon-γ signaling, and neutrophil degranulation. Several splenic modules were associated with clinical illness scores over time, depicting a predicted protein-protein interaction complex centered around ubiquitin C.</li> <li>Bioinformatic work encompassing gene expression patterns from additional lymphoid tissues (tonsils, buffy coat) is currently underway, with expected reporting by spring 2025.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Integrated transcriptome and multi-tissue mineral analyses of stocker cattle fed complexed or inorganic trace mineral supplement(MS: Kelsey Harvey, Brandi Karisch, Amelia Woolums; TX: Matthew Scott). <ul> <li>Trace element supplementation is a common nutritional practice in post-weaned beef cattle production, supplying dietary minerals necessary for growth and immunological function. Specific trace elements, such as copper and zinc, work together to promote T-cell-dependent immune function and humoral antibody production. While several strategies to manage bovine respiratory disease (BRD) exist in post-weaned beef production systems, the nutritional supplementation of trace minerals continues to be one of the most common. However, most supplemental strategies utilize a “one-size-fits-all” approach with respect to trace minerals, and their utility remains highly variable in terms of controlling rates of BRD. Here, we sought to evaluate the effects of three different supplemental strategies on liver and serum mineral concentrations of high-risk beef cattle, further incorporating the analyses of blood transcriptomes to assess changes in the immune and metabolic system over time.</li> <li>This study evaluated the effects of three supplementation programs on liver and serum trace element levels and blood gene expression in high-risk beef steers over 60 days. Fifty-six steers were randomly allocated to one of three groups: (1) sulfate-sourced Cu, Co, Mn, and Zn (INR), (2) amino acid-complexed Cu, Mn, Co, and Zn (AAC), or (3) AAC plus trace mineral and vitamin drench (COMBO). Trace element concentrations in serum and liver biopsies were measured at d0, d28, and d60 in cattle without BRD (n = 9 INR; n = 6 AAC; n = 10 COMBO). Generalized linear mixed models and Spearman’s rank correlations were used to analyze differences and associations between mineral concentrations (p < 0.05). Whole blood RNA from healthy steers (n = 4 per group) was collected at d0, d13, d28, d45, and d60 for transcriptomic analysis using glmmSeq (FDR < 0.05), edgeR (FDR < 0.10), and Trendy (p < 0.10). Across all groups, Cu and Co concentrations in serum and liver increased over time, with COMBO showing significantly higher liver Cu levels (487.985 μg/g) compared to AAC (392.043 μg/g) at d60 (p = 0.013). Serum and liver Cu (ρ = 0.579, p = 6.59 × 10⁻⁸) and Co (ρ = 0.466, p = 2.80 × 10⁻⁵) concentrations were positively correlated. Minimal differences in gene expression were observed between AAC and COMBO (n = 2 DEGs) or INR and COMBO (n = 0 DEGs). However, 107 DEGs were identified between AAC and INR (d13-d60), with AAC showing upregulation in pathways related to carbohydrate and fat-soluble vitamin metabolism, antigen presentation, ATPase activity, and B- and T-cell activation, while pathways for osteoclast differentiation and neutrophil degranulation were downregulated.</li> <li>Further work is ongoing to evaluate the interactions between BRD acquisition and type of as-fed trace element supplement enrollment influence host gene expression, centered around inflammatory cytokine response and resolution.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Intranasal BRSV Vaccine Efficacy: a study on the trivalent modified live virus vaccine (KSU: David Renter; SDSU: Chris Chase; Clinvet: Stephanie Perkins-Oines, Norish Senevirathne, Greta Krafus, Karim Abdelsalam; Merck: Brent Meyer). <ul> <li>This study evaluated the efficacy of a modified live, intranasal trivalent vaccine in neonatal calves, demonstrating reduced lung lesion scores, an improved immune response, and weight gain post-BRSV challenge following vaccine use.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Comparative Effectiveness of Macrolide Antibiotics for BRD Treatment (KSU: David Renter, Lucaas Horton; Five Rivers: Isaac Hardee; Boehringer Ingelheim: Nathan Meyer). <ul> <li>A randomized trial on 978 feedlot steers demonstrated no significant differences in primary health outcomes (retreatment, removal, mortality) across three macrolide antibiotics. This suggests similar effectiveness among the treatments for first-time BRD cases.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Effect of intranasal minerals administration on bovine respiratory microbiome after stress (MSU: Florencia Meyer; UGA: Roberto Palomares). <ul> <li>This study was performed to determine if applying a mineral formulation (Cu, Zn and Mg) to the upper respiratory mucosa provides benefits boosting the immune function and suppressing growth of opportunistic bacteria in calves submitted to 8-hour transportation. We performed a metagenomic analysis of nasal swab samples and evaluated the evenness, richness and relative abundance of bacteria phyla, genera, and species. We are currently working on the statistical analysis of the data.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Effect of intranasal administration of minerals (Cu, Zn & Mg) on health status, nasal microbiome, and immune response of calves challenged with Bovine herpes virus 1 (AU: Manuel Chamorro; MSU: Florencia Meyer; UGA: Roberto Palomares). <ul> <li>This study is a continuation of the previously described study (“Effect of intranasal minerals administration on bovine respiratory microbiome after stress”). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of a mineral solution (Cu, Zn & Mg) administered intranasally to calves before and after experimental infection with BHV1 on health status, bacterial growth, microbiome changes of the upper respiratory tract. We have performed a metagenomic analysis of nasal swab samples and evaluated the evenness, richness and relative abundance of bacteria phyla, genera, and species. We are currently working on the statistical analysis of the data.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Objective 4: To determine how attributes of cattle production systems including epidemiologic, societal, and economic forces contribute to BRD, and to develop ways to promote changes in those systems to reduce the occurrence of BRD and improve cattle health, welfare, productivity and antimicrobial stewardship. <ul> <li>Impact of management decisions during the cow-calf, backgrounding, and feedlot phases of beef production on BRD morbidity and mortality risks (TX: Matthew Scott, Sarah Capik; KS: Brad White, Bob Larson, David Amrine; MS: Kelsey Harvey, Brandi Karisch, Amelia Woolums). <ul> <li>Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) leads to economic losses, compromises animal welfare, and reduces the sustainability of beef production. While antimicrobials remain the most reliable method for managing BRD, there is growing interest in non-antimicrobial strategies to mitigate its risk. Although risk factors for BRD are well-documented, gaps remain in understanding how specific management practices influence its occurrence. This study aims to: 1) assess the impact of administering two vaccinations during preweaning on preweaning performance as well as BRD-related morbidity and mortality during backgrounding; 2) evaluate how marketing decisions affect BRD morbidity, mortality, and performance by comparing calves sent directly to a backgrounding operation with those routed through auction markets and order buyers; and 3) investigate the relationship between management practices at the pen and yard levels and health outcomes during the feedlot phase. Additionally, we will examine the effects of preweaning and marketing practices on inflammatory mediators to determine their potential as predictors of health and performance during backgrounding.</li> <li>Data collection for Specific Aims 1 and 2 are complete. Preliminary results demonstrate no deleterious effect of viral vaccination on performance outcomes during the cow-calf phase, numerical increase in haptoglobin concentrations between weaning and arrival to TX backgrounding (specifically in those animals having entered a commercial salebarn system), and heterogeneity of morbidity levels between all three years of this study. Statistical analysis is underway with expected reporting by spring 2025.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Castration Technique Research Supported by Cross-Institutional Effort (KSU: Tyler Blackwood, Dale Blasi, A. J. Tarpoff; TAMU: Mike Kleinhenz). <ul> <li>Examined the performance impacts of different castration methods in feedlot cattle, with findings published in Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports. This study provides evidence to improve common feedlot practices in partnership with animal health experts.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Objective 5: To promote dialogue and exchange among scientists, veterinarians, allied industry professionals and cattle producers to advance BRD research initiatives, to implement outreach, to disseminate research results, and to facilitate the translation of research findings to practical field applications. <ul> <li>Organization of the Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium (BRDS) 2024: <ul> <li>The quinquennial symposium was held in conjunction with the Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC) Summer 2024 meeting. Investigators part of the organizing committee include Sharif Aly, Terry Lehenbauer, and Sarah Depenbrock (UCD), Paul Morley (TAMU), John Richeson (WTAMU), Natalia Cernicchiaro (KSU), Amelia Woolums (MSU), Grant Dewell (ISU), and Roger Saltman (Zoetis). The symposium features presentations by scientists and veterinary consultants working with BRD, with open-forum discussion between the audience and the speakers' sessions. A scientific poster session for researchers working on BRD was additionally held at the conference. Approximately 300 attendees were present at the 2024 BRDS. More information can be found at www.brdsymposium.org.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Producer Outreach and Education and Public Engagement (KSU, SDSU, industry partners): <ul> <li>Conducted 34 cattle producer meetings across Kansas, covering Beef Quality Assurance certification, cattle health, and husbandry practices. This included direct engagement with producers to share best practices for cattle health and BRD management.</li> <li>Published 15 articles in popular press outlets to make research findings accessible to a wider audience, promoting industry-wide improvements in cattle health and sustainable management practices.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Objective 6: To assess the economic impact of BRD across different sectors of cattle industry. <ul> <li>Assessment of the economic impact of late-day pulmonary disease in feedlot cattle (KS: Brad White, Bob Larson; TX: Matthew Scott; MS: Amelia Woolums). <ul> <li>In addition to other collaborators from Colorado State University, Kansas State University, Rowan University, and several participating industry partners, this project aims to characterize the economic impact of late-day pulmonary disease in commercial feedlot operations.</li> <li>This work is currently ongoing. Econometric models will incorporate contextual information about specific cattle groups, cost of potential interventions, expected efficacy of interventions, error frequency, type, and cost. Economic estimates will guide decision makers in determining the optimum course of action for each pen to mitigate the impacts of LDPD.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> External Funding and Support <ol> <li>USDA-NIFA #2019-67015-29845</li> <li>USDA-NIFA #2023-67015-39711</li> <li>USDA Hatch Multistate Research Funding/MS Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Special Research Initiative</li> <li>USDA-NIFA #2020-67016-31469</li> </ol>

Publications

Peer-reviewed scientific publications: <ol> <li>Adkins M, Moisa S, Beever J, Lear A. Targeted Transcriptome Analysis of Beef Cattle Persistently Infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus. Genes (Basel). 2024 Nov 22;15(12):1500. doi: 10.3390/genes15121500. PMID: 39766767; PMCID: PMC11675442</li> <li>Blackwood, T., Spore, T., Kleinhenz, M. D., Hollenbeck, W. R., Blasi, Dale A., Tarpoff, A. J. 2024. Comparing the Performance of Cattle Castrated Using Different Techniques Upon Arrival at the Feedlot. Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 10: Iss. 1. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8558</li> <li>DeBord, Z. L., Duncan, Z. M., Pflughoeft, M. G., Suhr, K. J., Ellis, W. C., Hollenbeck, W. R.,</li> <li>Horton, L.M., Hardee, I., Meyer, N.F., Renter, D.G. 2024. A randomized trial comparing the effects of tulathromycin, tildipirosin and gamithromycin used as first treatment for clinical bovine respiratory disease in commercial feedlot steers. Bov Pract. Jun 21;58(2):43-50. doi: 10.21423/bpj20249022 </li> <li>Laporte, A., Tarpoff, A.J., Larson, R., Shane, D. 2023. Report: Structured landscape analysis of cow calf record keeping and data management software. NCBA BQA Research Report https://krex.k-state.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/3926d883-3f50-4b81-b9b6-64a6f66b1b42/content</li> <li>Martínez DA, Chamorro MF, Passler T, Huber L, Falkenberg S, Walz PH, Thoresen M, Raithel G, Silvis S, Dimitrov KM, Stocker R, Woolums AR. Intranasal booster vaccination of beef steers reduces clinical signs following experimental coinfection with BRSV and BHV-1 without reducing shedding of BRD-associated bacteria. Am J Vet Res. 2024. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.23.11.0266. PMID: 38422620.</li> <li>Montgomery, S. P., Spore, T. J., Titgemeyer, E. C., Blasi, D. A., Tarpoff, A. J. 2023. Effect of shade and limit feeding in growing beef heifers during periods of heat stress. TAS-2024-1750.</li> <li>Perkins-Oines, S., Senevirathne, N.D., Krafsur, G.M., Abdelsalam, K., Renter, D.G., Meyer, B., Chase, C.C.L. 2024. The Detection of Vaccine Virus and Protection of a Modified Live, Intranasal, Trivalent Vaccine in Neonatal, Colostrum-Fed Calves with an Experimental Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus Challenge. Pathogens. June 19;13(6):517. doi: 10.3390/pathogens13060517</li> <li>Scott MA, Harvey KM, Karisch BB, Woolums AR, Tracy RM, Russell JR, Engel CL. Integrated blood transcriptome and multi-tissue trace mineral analyses of healthy stocker cattle fed complexed or inorganic trace mineral supplement. Animals (Basel). 2024. Jul 26;14(15):2186. doi: 10.3390/ani14152186. PMID: 39123712</li> <li>Scott MA, Valeris-Chacin R, Thompson AC, Woolums AR, Karisch BB. Comprehensive timecourse gene expression evaluation of high-risk beef cattle to establish immunological characteristics associated with undifferentiated bovine respiratory disease. Front Immunol. 2024. Sep 13;15:1412766:doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1412766. PMID: 39346910</li> <li>Shea J Mackey, Reinaldo F Cooke, Autumn T Pickett, Bruno I Cappellozza, Kelsey M Harvey, Brandi B Karisch, Supplementing a Bacillus-based probiotic to high-risk stocker cattle, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 102, 2024, skae209, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae209</li> <li>Hoyos-Jaramillo A, Palomares R.A, Bittar J.H.J, Hurley D.J., Saliki J. T, Stanley S., Gutiérrez A., Urdaneta J., Hamrick B., Miller K., Rodríguez A., Graham J. & Rizzo R. Effects of injectable trace minerals (Se, Zn, Cu, and Mn) administration on the immune response elicited by primary intranasal modified-live virus vaccination in dairy calves. Veterinary Research Communications. Doi: 10.1007/s11259-024-10630-7. Accepted for publication Dec 2024.</li> <li>Hoyos-Jaramillo, A., Palomares, R. A., Bittar, J. H. J., Hurley, D. J., Rodríguez, A., González-Altamiranda, E. A., Fenley, M. Circulating T cell subpopulations in dairy calves infected with Bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 and Bovine herpes virus 1 following modified-live virus booster vaccination: Effects of the administration route and trace mineral supplementation. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 110871. doi:10.1016/j.vetimm.2024.110871. Accepted for publication, Dec 2024.</li> <li>Caceres, C. J., Gay, L. C., Faccin, F. C., Regmi, D., Palomares, R., & Perez, D. R. (2024). Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Resilience in Milk after Thermal Inactivation. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 30(11). doi:10.3201/eid3011.240772.</li> <li>Li, Y., Palomares, R. A., Liu, M., Xu, J., Koo, C., Granberry, F., . . . Wang, Q. (2024). Isolation and Characterization of Contemporary Bovine Coronavirus Strains. Viruses, 16(6), 965. doi:10.3390/v16060965</li> </ol> Scientific abstract presentations in national/international conferences: <ol> <li>Capik S, Larson R, White B, Amrine D, Karisch B, Harvey K, Parish J, Woolums A, McAllister H, Gouvea V, Scott M. 2023 update on the impact of management decisions on BRD morbidity, mortality, and performance in beef calves. Conference for Research Workers in Animal Disease (CRWAD). Chicago IL. January 20-23, 2024. #P106.</li> <li>Hardee, D.V., Renter, D.G., Bryant, L.B. Clinical outcomes of feedlot calves with antibiotic resistant and non-resistant respiratory disease bacteria. Abstract #170. Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases, January 20-23, 2024, Chicago, Illinois.</li> <li>Horton, V., Hanthorn, C., Thackrah, A., Renter, D.G., Cernicchiaro, N. Fostering antimicrobial stewardship: a survey of veterinary perspectives on bovine respiratory disease risk and metaphylaxis use in U.S. feedlots. Academy of Veterinary Consultants Summer Meeting, August 9, 2024, Denver, Colorado.</li> <li>Horton, V., Hanthorn, C., Thackrah, A., Renter, D.G., Cernicchiaro, N. Understanding bovine respiratory disease (BRD) metaphylaxis practice across U.S. feedlots: a survey of veterinary consultants’ perspectives (Poster). Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium, August 7, 2024, Denver, Colorado. Student Award Winner.</li> <li>McAllister HM, Capik SF, Ramirez BI, Harvey KM, Morley PS, Valeris-Chacin R, Karisch BB, Woolums AR, Thompson AC, Scott MA. 2024. The impact of preweaning vaccination on gene expression in cattle that remain healthy or develop BRD during the backgrounding phase. Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium (BRDS) 2024. Denver, CO.</li> <li>McAllister HM, Capik SF, Ramirez BR, Harvey KM, Morley PS, Valeris-Chacin R, Karisch BB, Woolums AR, Thompson AC, Scott MA. 2024. How does preweaning vaccination impact host gene expression in beef cattle that remain healthy or develop bovine respiratory disease later in life? 2024 Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Convention & Exposition. Fort Worth, TX.</li> <li>McAllister HR, Capik SF, Larson R, White B, Amrine D, Karisch BB, Harvey HM, Parish J, Woolums AR, Gouvea V, Thompson AC, Scott MA. 2025. How does vaccination and marketing impact bovine respiratory disease and inflammatory mediator production in beef calves? Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD). Chicago, IL.</li> <li>McAllister HR, Capik SF, Ramirez BI, Harvey KM, Valeris-Chacin R, Karisch BB, Woolums AR, Scott MA. 2024. How does preweaning vaccination impact gene expression in cattle that remain healthy or develop BRD later in life? Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. Columbus, OH.</li> <li>McAllister HR, Capik SF, Woolums AR, Karisch BB, Harvey KM, Scott MA. 2024. Effect of vaccination and marketing strategies on gene expression patterns in beef cattle via time course RNA-seq. 2024 VMBS Trainee Research Symposium and Banquet. College Station, TX.</li> <li>McAtee, T., Renter, D.G., Bryant, L.K., Booker, C.W., Hunsaker, B.D., McMullen, C.A., Fenton, R.K., Raaphorst, H.S. Treating BRD: Comparing 3 BRD treatment options in feedlot calves that received tulathromycin metaphylaxis on-arrival. Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium, August 7, 2024, Denver, Colorado.</li> <li>Prosser HM, Ramirez BI, Valeris-Chacin R, Crosby WB, Morley PS, Woolums AR, Karisch BB, Scott MA. 2024. Transcriptome analysis of high-risk stocker cattle associates consistent inflammation-related pathways with BRD. 2024 VMBS Trainee Research Symposium and Banquet. College Station, TX.</li> <li>Prosser HM, Ramirez BI, Valeris-Chacin R, Crosby WB, Woolums AR, Karisch BB, Baker EC, Scott MA. 2024. Analysis of high-risk stocker cattle transcriptome associates clinical BRD with consistent inflammation-related pathways. Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. Columbus, OH.</li> <li>Ramirez B, McAllister H, Capik S, Valeris-Chacin R, Harvey K, Karisch B, Woolums A, Morley PS, Pinnell L, Scott M. Update on the molecular epidemiological assessment of beef cattle management systems. Conference for Research Workers in Animal Disease (CRWAD). Chicago IL. January 20-23, 2024. #P166.</li> <li>Ramirez B, McAllister H, Capik S, Valeris-Chacin R, Harvey K, Woolums A, Karisch B, Scott M. Longitudinal blood RNA-Seq analysis of cattle to determine the impact of vaccination and marketing on clinical BRD. Conference for Research Workers in Animal Disease (CRWAD). Chicago IL. January 20-23, 2024. #P131.</li> <li>Ramirez BI, McAllister HM, Capik SF, Valeris-Chacin R, Harvey KM, Woolums AR, Karisch BB, Scott MA. 2024. Longitudinal analyses of influence on vaccination, marketing, and bovine respiratory disease outcome influences on gene expression and microbial composition in beef cattle. Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium (BRDS) 2024. Denver, CO.</li> <li>Ramirez BI, McAllister HR, Capik SF, Valeris-Chacin R, Harvey HM, Woolums AR, Karisch BB, Pinnell LJ, Morley PS, Scott MA. 2025. Multiomic investigation in beef cattle characterizes management-associated immune modulation in context of respiratory disease. Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD). Chicago, IL.</li> <li>Ramirez BI, McAllister HR, Capik SF, Valeris-Chacin R, Harvey KM, Woolums AR, Karisch BB, Scott MA. 2024. Longitudinal study on the influence of vaccination, marketing, and BRD outcomes on gene expression in beef cattle. Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. Columbus, OH.</li> <li>Renter, D.G. Cattle health in the sustainability framework. Board of Directors meeting at the 2024 Annual Conference – National Institute for Animal Agriculture, Kansas City, Missouri, April 2024.</li> <li>Renter, D.G. Impacts of Bovine Respiratory Disease on Sustainability. Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium 2024: Challenging paradigms, Denver, Colorado, August 2024.</li> <li>Scott MA, Palomares RA, Linson MK, Altamiranda EG, Hoyos-Jaramillo A, Bittar JH, Rodriguez A, Urdaneta J, Granberry F. 2024. Network analysis of splenic gene expression of cattle co-infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 and bovine herpes virus 1 following vaccination and trace mineral administration. Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. Columbus, OH.</li> <li>Scott MA, Palomares RA, Linson MK, Altamiranda EG, Hoyos-Jaramillo A, Bittar JH, Rodriguez J, Granberry F. 2025. Gene network analysis of cattle co-infected with BVDV-2 and BHV-1 following vaccination and mineral treatment. Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD). Chicago, IL.</li> <li>L. Herrick, J.N. Kiser, V. Kelson, E. Suarez, H.L. Neibergs. 2024. Genomic regions associated with bovine respiratory disease in Holstein calves. International Plant and Animal Genome, San Diego, California.</li> <li>L. Neibergs. 2024. Opportunities for understanding bovine disease mechanisms through genetic studies. Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium, Denver, CO</li> <li>Prim JG, Chamorro MF, Meyer F, Passler T, Falkenberg S, Stockler J, Rush J, Palomares RA. Effect of administration of intranasal mineral administration on immune and clinical outcomes of dairy calves challenged with bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1). Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD). Jan 2025.</li> <li>Cargnin Faccin F, L. Gay C, Regmi D, Rajao DS, Palomares RA, Perez DR. Experimental infection and viral pathogenesis of H5N1 in Jersey cattle. Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD). Jan 2025</li> </ol> Non-Refereed Publications <ol> <li>Calves get their best foot forward at branding. High Plains Journal. May 2024</li> <li>Don’t Stress: Here’s how to handle the heat. Progressive Cattlemen. June 2024</li> <li>Handling the Heat. Angus Journal. July 2024</li> <li>Its Fair Season: Keeping animals cool at county shows. Salina Post. June 2024</li> <li>Kansas Ranchers Prepare Cattle for Arctic Weather. KSNT 27 News. January 2024</li> <li>Keep ‘Em Cool” Bovine Veterinarian. July 2024</li> <li>Kstate coach shares wisdom with livestock producers. High Plains Journal. August 2024</li> <li>Managing Hypothermia in Newborn Calves’ Successful Farming. January 2024</li> <li>Online tool monitors animal comfort index in extreme heat. Brownfield Ag News. July 2024</li> <li>Reduce Summer Stress for Cattle Success. Feedlot Magazine. Pg 6. June 2024</li> <li>Research Roundup- Heat Mitigation Strategies in Feedyards. Angus Beef Bulletin June 2024 </li> <li>Simple changes make the difference in cooling off cattle. Drovers. June 2024</li> <li>The meat in your freezer is not secretly dangerous, Kansas cattle experts say. KWCH News. June 2024</li> <li>The Value of a Cull. Kansas Stockman. May/June 2024</li> <li>Weaning Strategies for calves: insights from K-States Dr. A.J. Tarpoff. Oklahoma Farm Report. October 2024</li> </ol> Extension, Education, and Outreach <ol> <li>Event: Calving School, Location: St. John, KS, Attendees: 85, Date: 1/4/2024</li> <li>Event: Calving School, Location: Holton, KS, Attendees: 124, Date: 1/11/2024</li> <li>Event: Calving School, Location: Howard, KS, Attendees: 60, Date: 1/18/2024</li> <li>Event: Calving School, Location: Sublette, KS, Attendees: 55, Date: 1/25/2024</li> <li>Event: BQA, Location: Basehor, KS, Attendees: 70, Date: 2/3/2024</li> <li>Event: KSRE Update (Vet Med Meet and Greet), Location: Manhattan, KS, Attendees: 150, Date: 2/7/2024</li> <li>Event: BQA (OKAN Conference), Location: Coffeyville, KS, Attendees: 100, Date: 2/9/2024</li> <li>Event: Beef Quality Audit (Dairy Days), Location: Seneca, KS, Attendees: 35, Date: 2/12/2024</li> <li>Event: Understanding the Beef Production Chain, Location: Washington, KS, Attendees: 12, Date: 2/15/2024</li> <li>Event: BQA, Location: LaCrosse, KS, Attendees: 80, Date: 2/20/2024</li> <li>Event: BQA, Location: St. Francis, KS, Attendees: 30, Date: 2/22/2024</li> <li>Event: Improving Cattle Health from a Veterinarians Perspective, Location: Fairview, IL, Attendees: 55, Date: 3/6/2024</li> <li>Event: Improving Cattle Health from a Veterinarians Perspective, Location: Wellman, IA, Attendees: 155, Date: 3/6/2024</li> <li>Event: Improving Cattle Health from a Veterinarians Perspective, Location: Ashton, IL, Attendees: 80, Date: 3/7/2024</li> <li>Event: Improving Cattle Health from a Veterinarians Perspective, Location: Welton, IA, Attendees: 30, Date: 3/7/2024</li> <li>Event: Health considerations prior to going to grass, Location: Stockton, KS, Attendees: 20, Date: 3/12/2024</li> <li>Event: BQA, Location: Junction City, KS, Attendees: 82, Date: 3/18/2024</li> <li>Event: Ag Career Day, Location: Randolph, KS, Attendees: 50, Date: 3/20/2024</li> <li>Event: PAC Summit. Quality Audit, Location: Scott City, KS, Attendees: 110, Date: 4/3/2024</li> <li>Event: Serving Up Science. Beef Production, Location: Manhattan, KS, Attendees: 80, Date: 4/10/2024</li> <li>Event: BQA (Neosho Valley Feeders), Location: Parsons, KS, Attendees: 8, Date: 4/18/2024</li> <li>Event: BQA, Location: Manhattan, KS, Attendees: 71, Date: 4/23/2024</li> <li>Event: Current Issues in Animal Ag- HPAI Update, Location: Zoom, Attendees: 19, Date: 5/1/2024</li> <li>Event: BQA, Location: Council Grove, KS, Attendees: 6, Date: 5/17/2024</li> <li>Event: BQA, Location: Lincoln, NE, Attendees: 11, Date: 6/5/2024</li> <li>Event: Feedlot Environment, Location: Iowa Farm Tour, Attendees: 140, Date: 6/5/2024</li> <li>Event: HPAI Update, Location: Eureka, KS, Attendees: 20, Date: 6/22/2024</li> <li>Event: Cattle U. BQA, Location: Manhattan, KS, Attendees: 300, Date: 6/25/2024</li> <li>Event: Serving Up Science: Beef Production, Location: Manhattan, KS, Attendees: 65, Date: 6/26/2024</li> <li>Event: Calving School. Translated to Spanish for Alta Technicians, Location: Ulysses, KS, Attendees: 37, Date: 6/27/2024</li> <li>Event: Effects of current technologies on cattle management. CAB Feeding Quality Forum, Location: Dodge City, KS, Attendees: 273, Date: 8/21/2024</li> <li>Event: BQA, Location: Montezuma, KS, Attendees: 60, Date: 8/21/2024</li> <li>Event: BQA, Location: Oswego, KS, Attendees: 10, Date: 8/27/2024</li> <li>Event: BQA, National Hereford Convention, Location: Kansas City, MO, Attendees: 60, Date: 10/24/2024</li> </ol>

Impact Statements

Research concerning decreasing pulmonary-associated mortality in feedlot cattle using refined case definitions and predictive analytics will improve accuracy of diagnosis of the various types of respiratory disease in feedlot cattle, which is needed to support development of improved methods to prevent or treat late day pulmonary disease in feedlot cattle.
Research concerning the quantification of impacts of pre-weaning vaccination and post-weaning commingling of BRD will provide objective data regarding the relative impacts of preweaning vaccination and postweaning auction market exposure on BRD incidence. Such data are surprisingly rare. This information will support the development of models that identify the most cost effective management strategies to prevent BRD.
Research concerning the evaluation of the effects of post-weaning commingling and transport on coronavirus shedding will provide new knowledge regarding the relative impact of transport and co-mingling on coronavirus infection in calves; this will provide data to support the development of new models to predict disease, and new approaches to prevent disease, in calves and other hosts that are susceptible to disease after co-mingling and transport.
Research concerning topical application of minerals to the respiratory tract could decrease rates of BRD in treated cattle by decreasing the number of BRD-causing bacteria in the respiratory tract.
Research concerning nasal and bronchoalveolar fluid BRSV IgG-1 titers provides new knowledge to veterinarians that should improve their recommendations to farmers about the best practices to control respiratory disease in calves.
The 2024 BRD Symposium provided stakeholders with new information about factors that contribute to the development of BRD in populations of cattle, and approaches that could mitigate BRD. Interactions by scientists at the BRD Symposium supported the development of new collaborations that will lead to teams with expertise and know-how to address new problems in the field of BRD.
Research concerning the molecular epidemiological assessment of beef cattle management systems holds high significance due to the urgent need for improved understanding of BRD prevention and control strategies to enable more accurate and effective management decisions. To our knowledge, this project is the first of its kind in beef cattle research, offering valuable insights to advance agricultural practices, reduce disease in livestock, and ensure a safe, sustainable food supply.
Research concerning the integrated assessment of transcriptome and multi-tissue mineral concentrations of stocker cattle is the first to report combined host transcriptome and mineral concentration data in response to trace element supplementation, providing novel insights into how nutritional practices influence inflammatory, immune, and metabolic systems in beef cattle. These findings establish a valuable foundation for optimizing trace element supplementation to improve cattle health and productivity in beef production systems.
Research concerning the influence of tulathromycin metaphylaxis on the whole blood transcriptome of high-risk stocker cattle demonstrates consistent inflammatory response observed in cattle treated for BRD, regardless of metaphylactic administration or treatment success, highlights a uniform immunological pattern. This finding is crucial as it suggests that these inflammatory markers could be utilized to improve clinical disease detection and intervention strategies.
Research concerning the gene co-expression analyses of lymphoid tissue from calves co-infected with viral pathogens illustrate associations between lymphoid gene expression patterns following BVDV2 and BHV1 infections and common management practices used to control BRD. These patterns may be leveraged to improve our understanding of immunomodulation and acquired immune response against viral infections involved in BRD.
Research concerning the understanding of pathogenesis of in-utero BVDV infection and its long-term impacts on cattle health and risk of BRD directly benefit the cattle industry by informing management strategies to enhance immunity against BRD pathogens in high risk cattle infected in-utero with BVDV.
Research efforts related to Objective 3 of NC1192 activities led by KSU highlight significant advancements in cattle health and management, demonstrating the impact of work across multiple areas. A randomized trial on 978 feedlot steers revealed no significant differences in primary health outcomes (retreatment, removal, mortality) among three macrolide antibiotics for BRD treatment, indicating similar effectiveness for first-time BRD cases. In beef-dairy crossbred calves, a trivalent modified live virus vaccine showed reduced lung lesion scores, enhanced immune response, and improved weight gain post-BRSV challenge, confirming vaccine efficacy despite maternal antibodies. Efforts to optimize husbandry practices for environmental stress management have resulted in a peer-reviewed publication submission, while market analysis of cow/calf record-tracking software aims to enhance data-driven ranch management. Ongoing trials on Vitamin D supplementation and arrival vaccines are expected to yield insights into immune response and vaccine efficacy by the end of 2024. Additionally, an FFAR-funded study on antimicrobial stewardship is refining metaphylaxis decision-making for BRD in feeder cattle, leveraging stakeholder input to improve antimicrobial use practices and BRD classification, ultimately advancing industry stewardship and cattle health outcomes.
Research efforts related to Objective 5 of NC1192 activities led by KSU underscore a comprehensive approach to advancing cattle health through research, education, and collaboration. Four graduate students and two research associates received hands-on training in feedlot health, BRD management, and biomedical and epidemiologic research, contributing to publications, grant proposals, and conference presentations, which equipped them with evidence-based management skills. The BRD Symposium, organized in August 2024 with Kansas State University and the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, served as a platform to disseminate critical research findings on cattle health. Outreach efforts included 34 producer meetings across Kansas, focusing on Beef Quality Assurance certification, cattle health, and husbandry practices, directly engaging producers to share best practices. Collaborative research initiatives with industry partners (Merck Animal Health, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, Boehringer Ingelheim) and South Dakota State University addressed pressing cattle health issues. Additionally, 15 articles published in popular press outlets made research findings accessible to a broader audience, promoting sustainable management practices. Research results were also presented at key scientific conferences, including the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases, the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, the BRD 2024 Symposium, and Phi Zeta Day at KSU, fostering knowledge exchange with national and international audiences and driving industry-wide improvements in cattle health.
Research efforts led by WSU furthers the understanding of the etiology of BRD and the role that specific pathogens play in BRD in beef feedlot animals and in dairy calves. Additionally, this work provides additional genomic tools for selection of animals resistant/resilient to BRD.
Research efforts led by UGA which identified higher vRNA levels found in the mammary gland tissues compared to respiratory tract tissues confirm the tissue tropism of H5N1 for the mammary gland. This study confirmed that Jersey cows are susceptible to H5N1 infection and establish them as a valuable experimental model for studying disease pathogenesis and developing effective vaccines.
Further work led by UGA elucidating the influence of nasal mineral administration on the microbiome ecosystem in stressed weaned dairy calves submitted to transportation (that were subsequently challenged with BHV1) help to understand the benefits of Cu, Zn and Mg to prevent BRD in dairy calves. Further, injectable trace mineral supplementation appears to have stress mitigation effects in beef cattle that may reflect positively on growth and health performance. Moreover, identifying gene transcripts affected by vaccination, trace mineral status and virus infection may explain the differences in the observed enhanced immune response and improved health status of animals treated with ITM.