Objectives: 1) Identify emerging and re-emerging agents and develop diagnostic methods for BRD.

VISIONING OBJECTIVE 1 :New bovine respiratory disease pathogens have emerged in the last 10 years including bovine respiratory coronavirus, bovine viral diarrhea virus type 2 and Mycoplasma bovis. These pathogens have only been recognized through surveillance by veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Identifying emerging and re-emerging BRD agents requires both the integration of diagnostic information and the development of sensitive, inexpensive user friendly diagnostic tests to increase pathogen detection. The development and sharing of pathogen epidemiology data along with sharing these pathogens among researchers will guarantee that BRD research is directed at current field problems. The development of new diagnostic tests will increase our ability to detect and measure changes in pathogens. This objective produces data and materials that can be used in objective 2 and 3.

2) Characterize mechanisms and intervention targets in pathogenesis of BRD at the molecular, cellular and host level.

VISIONING OBJECTIVE 2: Rapid advances in the field of molecular biology are influencing changes in methodologies, in development and use of models, and in the assembly of new scientific paradigms. The rapid expansion of genomic databases for important pathogens of BRD will allow leapfrogging advances in knowledge about virulence factors and their role in pathogenesis. Characterization of disease models will enable integration of pathogen activity and corresponding host responses in cross-talk interactions important to disease development. In turn, development of models of immune response concerts will propel the development of strategies to protect against BRD. Targets for intervention will be studied in blocking or diminishing damage caused by virulence factors of pathogens, in intercepting disease-triggering cross-talk between pathogen and host, and in enhancing protective immune responses.

3) Develop intervention strategies for critical control points to reduce impact of BRD.

VISIONING OBJECTIVE 3: The application of recent advancements to prevent bovine respiratory tract disease is vital. New management paradigms will be explored for their impact on bovine respiratory tract disease. The identification of high risk events during cattle production (including the cow herd, assembly of feeder cattle, and entry to feedyard) will allow a focus to be made on developing effective management practices and goals. The event of co-mingling of feeder cattle has been identified as the single most important management time point to manipulate to prevent bovine respiratory tract disease.