1. “The cattle industry and control of BRD in
Portugal”
Ana Vieira, Grupo RF
Manuel Ferreira Joaquim
Merial Symposium: Current and New Approaches
to the use of Antibiotics in the Control of Bovine
Respiratory Disease (BRD). Can we do better?
Cascais, 30th September and 1st October 2010

2. Agenda
2
The Cattle Industry in Portugal
Control of BRD in Portugal
Final considerations. SWOT Analysis

3. The Cattle population in Europe has been decreasing 0.7%
per year
3
1.4
1.5
1.6
2.0
2.5
2.5
4.0
5.6
5.8
6.1
6.4
9.9
Portugal
Sweden
Denmark
Austria
Romania
Belgium
Netherlands
Poland
Ireland
Spain
Italy
United Kingdom
Germany 12.9
France 19.2
Cattle Population
Source: Eurostat 2009
80.0
13.8
80.0
13.8
89.6
76.2
13.4
2001
93.8
2009
Remaining 12
EU-15
CAGR -0.7%
88.3
75.2
13.1
2005
75.276.2
Cattle Population Evolution
106 heads
In the EU27, the total bovine herd has diminished at a rate of 0.7% annually since 2001.
The Portuguese reality has followed the EU's Trend.

4. In Portugal we are assisting a marked tendency
towards animal concentration
4
CAGR -6.4%
2007
275.0
2005
324.0
2003
359.0
North
Center
Lisbon
Alentejo
Algarve
Azores
Madeira
The number of farms has been
decreasing in every region over the last
years.
Number of Farms in Portugal, 103 Number of animals per farm
The number of animals per farm has
been growing over the last years and in
every region.
15.0 12.0
2007
132.0
94.0
27.0
32.0
4.0
2005
10.012.0
85.0
119.0
20.0
29.0
4.0
2003
9.0 9.0
58.0
104.0
19.0
27.0
2.0
Source: INE 2009

5. CAP regulations have changed the structure of the adult
bovine population
5
* Only includes cows with 2 years and more. All other cattle is ignored.
Source: INE 2010 (Po)
351.0
402.0 424.0
CAGR 0.4%
Beef Cows
Dairy Cows
2009
713.0
289.0
2005
726.0
324.0
2001
689.0
338.0
Adult Cattle Population Evolution*
Cattle population growth has been driven by the rise in beef cattle (CAGR = 2.4% over 8 years)
while Dairy Cow population has been decreasing (CAGR = -1.9% over 8 years).
103 heads

6. No official data concerning the number of animals entering
feedlots and at cow-calf operations
6Source: INE 2010 (Po)
Feedlots traditionally tended to be located in the Center
region. However, since November 2004, because of Blue
Tongue and environmental pressure, we assisted to the rise
of several feedlots in the South region.
287 000 heads
103 heads

7. Portugal is a country where feedlots do not have a significant
dimension or tradition
7
Crossbreed
Farm size: 200 -350 heads
Type of animals: Crossbreed
national x exotic (mainly
limousin, charolais)
Origin: Cow-calf operations,
auction markets, stockers
Entrance age: 6 months
Feed: Concentrate and straw
(ad libitum) (90%); Maize silage,
concentrate and straw (10%)
Final weight: Females (400-450
kg); Males (550-600 kg)
Activity characteristics: Family
type and entrepreneurship
Workers: 94% Unskilled and 48%
more than 65 years (INE, 2009)
Farm size: 500 heads
Type of animals: Frisian males
Origin: Dairy farms
Entrance age: 8 days to 4
months
Feed after weaning:
Concentrate and straw (ad
libitum) (90%); Maize silage,
concentrate and straw (10%)
Final weight: 280-320 kg
Activity characteristics: Family
type and entrepreneurship
Workers: 94% Unskilled and 48%
more than 65 years (INE, 2009)
Frisians

8. 8
Portugal’s self supply of bovine meat has oscillated around
50% in the past 4 years
8
Heifers
Cow
Bull
CAGR +1%
Veal
Steers
2009
446.1
15%
15%
1%
34%
36%
2008
449.4
13%
12%
1%
32%
43%
2007
375.4
16%
14%
1%
24%
45%
2006
439.0
14%
13%
1%
31%
40%
Number of Slaughtered Aninals
Meat pro-
duced ( 000T)
Consumption
(kg/capita)
105.3 91.2 108.4
18.6 18.4 18.8
Production
(kg/capita)
10.0 8.9 10.7
Source: INE 2010
Degree of self-
supply (%) 54.4% 47.2% 55.1%
103.0
18.7
9.6
52.8%
103 heads

9. Agenda
9
The Cattle Industry in Portugal
Control of BRD in Portugal
Final considerations. SWOT Analysis

10. Controlling BRD among the newly received cattle is the
greatest challenge in the feedlot industry
10
Bovine Respiratory Disease
Nutricional Practices
Anatomic and
Physiologic
conditions
Environmental
factors
Viral and Bacterial
infectious agents
Management
Practices
The Bovine Respiratory Disease is a multifactorial disease

11. Risk analysis is our line of thought when assessing BRD in
feedlots
11
!
Determine current herd
status
Hazard
characterization
&
exposure
assessment
 Identify the goal
 Develop plan of
action
 Monitor progress
Assess current BRD
risks
Risk managementRisk assessment

12. 12
Determine current herd status
Assess current BRD risks
Identify the goal
Monitor progress
 Starting point
 Internal and external risk factors
Develop plan of action
 Risk assessment to select realistic BRD goals
 What we can do to!
 Is it working?
Controlling BRD

13. Determining current herd status is more than identifying
BRD agents involved
13
 Analysis of economic and
sanitary data
 Do its assessment
 Determine the agents of disease
involved
 Determine the importance of
the agent’s presence in the
farms
Facilities diagnosis
 Hygienic and sanitary diagnosis
based on the current practices of
the farm
 Nasopharyngeal and nasal
swabs; tracheal
wash/bronchoalveolar lavage;
Necropsy and postmortem
samples
 Sorology
 Bacteriology
Description Examples / Comments
 Facilities: m2; m3
 Biosecurity
 Origin and breeds of animals
 “All in –All –In” vs “ “All in –all
Out”
 Sanitary protocols
 Nutrition

14. 14
Suppliers evaluation is paramount on determining
current herd status
How does it work?
Objectives
Who it applies?
Classify in low or high risk the animals
entering the farms
Diminish the incidence of disease
Enhance productive performance
Work as a challenge of the suppliers
All the farms of origin, independently of
their risk status
Where and When?
In the farms of origin
In the beginning of commercial relations
Assessment
Questionnaire
WI* – Admission
of the animals
Initial Evaluation
Sheet
Monthly Control
DWG
Food conversion ratio
Morbility
Mortality
Carcass
Entrance
Way Out
* Working Instruction (WI)

15. 15
Determine current herd status
Assess current BRD risks
Identify the goal
Monitor progress
 Starting point
 Internal and external risk factors
Develop plan of action
 Risk assessment to select realistic BRD goals
 What can we do to?
 Is it working?
Controlling BRD

16. The analysis of a tailor-made flowchart is a good
starting point for risk management
16
External Risk Factors Internal Risk Factors External Risk Factors
Factors important for
the introduction of a
hazard not already at
the farm
Factors important for the circulation of a hazard that
is already at the farm
Factors important for
the introduction of a
hazard not already at
the farm

17. 17
Determine current herd status
Assess current BRD risks
Identify the goal
Monitor progress
 Starting point
 Internal and external risk factors
Develop plan of action
 Risk assessment to select realistic BRD goals
 What can we do to?
 Is it working?
Controlling BRD

18. Because cattle arriving feedlots is sourced from a variety
of outlets the external risk factors are usually high
18
High
Low High
Low
Goal: STABILITY
 Prob. initial success:
MODERATE to HIGH
 Prob. sustained success:
LOW
Goal: STABILITY
 Prob. initial success:
LOW
 Prob. sustained success:
LOW
Goal: ELIMINATION
 Prob. initial success:
HIGH
 Prob. sustained success:
HIGH
Goal: STABILITY or
ELIMINATION
 Prob. initial success:
MODERATE to HIGH
 Prob. sustained success:
LOW to MODERATE
Internal Risks Factors
ExternalRisksFactors
Source: Polson et al, 2005

19. 19
Determine current herd status
Assess current BRD risks
Identify the goal
Monitor progress
 Starting point
 Internal and external risk factors
Develop plan of action
 Risk assessment to select realistic BRD goals
 What can we do to?
 Is it working?
Controlling BRD

20. Before starting our Action Plan we have to understand
which kind of client we have in hands…
20
SOS Veterinarian
90% 10%
Veterinarian Business Team Leader
“Doctor, I do not want my animals to
die, but I do not wish to spend
money on vaccines!!!”
“I know what I am doing, I have been
doing it all my life!”
Prophylactic measures
Nutrition
Economy
Personal management and coaching
Biosecurity and facilities
Epidemiology

21. Plan of Action - Management
21
Plan of Action
We focus on
reducing the
probability of
contact and the
survival of the
agents of disease.
Description
 Nutrition has a big management
component in preventing and minimizing
disease.
 Reduce exposure of pathogens to
susceptible cattle: management practices
in the area of sanitation: receiving and
hospital pens, feed and water bunks.
 Important for the bio-contention of
hazards on the farm. Minimize the
probability of contact between agents of
disease and the animals.
 Ventilation, temperature and humidity.
Enhance host
resistance.

22. Plan of Action – Medical issues
22
Plan of Action
The focus is to
effectively
minimize
pathogen
exposure,
stimulate herd
immunity, and
manage risk
factors that
potentiate the
spread of BRD
Description
 Usually is always considered on arrival,
as it has been demonstrated that
parasites suppress vital components of
the immune system.
 Is the timely mass medication of a group,
usually considered on arrival. Because of
management conditions of farms in
Portugal it is becoming common.
Normally animals in Portugal are
vaccinated against 4 respiratory virus
(IBR, BVDV, PI3 and bovine respiratory
syncytial virus. Also vaccinated for
clostridium and less frequently for
Mannhemia haemolytica.
 Evaluating therapeutic response is
critical in determining if current
treatments protocols are effective.

23. 23
Every measure in our plan of action that involves investment
should have a benefic-cost analysis
Should I start a new vaccination program ?
Sanitary (mortality, morbidity) and productive data (DWG, FCR) are our daily
working tools and have to be our guidelines in the construction of economic
data (€/kg bw) that will evaluate the measures applied in our action plan.
PV = Body Weight

24. 24
In Portugal, in the treatment of BRD we do not have a
preponderance of one family of antimicrobials
Aminoglycosides
2009
1.048
20%
21%
17%
9%
17%
Cephalosporins
+16%
Tetracyclines
Quinolones
Macrolides
9%
AM Associations
Anphenicols
Penicillins
5%
1%
2005
907
23%
21%
20%
12%
11%
7%
5%
1%
* Doses for 200 kg bw
Source: Apifarma data extrapolation, 2009
103 doses *

25. 25
Market share division of 1-shot and Multi-shot has remained
constant, but 1-shot is growing rapidly
Multi Shots
1-Shot
2009
1.048
85%
15%
2005
907
86%
14%
24%
14%
Growth
05-09
103 doses *
* Doses for 200 kg bw
Source: Apifarma data extrapolation, 2009

26. Plan of Action - People
26
Plan of Action
Records
The focus is to
keep an
information
system that can
be operated by
the workers and
that will help
them be more
motivated
Description
 Paramount considering the 94% Unskilled
workers we have on the farms.
 It has to be reinforced with working
instructions.
Reports
 Development of a routine of reports
that enable the monitoring of the
farm and are useful to demonstrate
the eficiency of the taken actions.
Coaching
Production meetings
 Helps building the concept of farm
business team.
 Tailor-made.
 Adapted to the workers of the farm and
to the accuracy of the data.
 Management Information Systems.

27. Working instructions are tools in the coaching process
27
INSTRUÇÃO DE TRABALHO – ADMINISTRAÇÃO DE INJECTÁVEIS
DEPARTAMENTO DE
PRODUÇÃO
FASES 2 e 3
RFGQ13 - TRATAMENTOS PROFILÁTICOS
RFGQ14 - TRATAMENTOS MÉDICOS
RFGQIT03
Boa contenção dos animais Utilizar material higienizado Escolher um local limpo e apropriado para a
administração
Data Revisão Elaborado por: Função Documentos afectos:
01-01-2008 Nº 1 Ana Vieira Directora Produção Plano profilático
Planos terapêuticos

28. Management Information Systems are a huge step forward on
the management of withdrawal periods
Practical useFunctionality
Managing
veterinary
Interventions
Animal/Group
•Disease
•Veterinary medicine
•Cost
•Individual historical
•Group historical
3
2
1
4
5
6
3
2
1
4
5
6

29. 29
Determine current herd status
Assess current BRD risks
Identify the goal
Monitor progress
 Starting point
 Internal and external risk factors
Develop plan of action
 Risk assessment to select realistic BRD goals
 What can we do to?
 Is it working?
Controlling BRD

30. Animals entering the feedlot are organized in management
groups and controled montly
30
Parameters
monitored
Informatic
management of
weight
Control of daily
intake (manually)
Control of daily
intake
(automatically)
DWG
Food
Conversion
Ratio
Tools of control

31. Displaying information in graphs is an interesting
way of analysing data
31
Therapeutic response
Evaluating therapeutic response is
critical in determining if current
protocols are effective.
A favorable response to first treatment
should be 80% .
Fatality analysis
The Fatality (for BRD) percentage is a
good means of determinating the ability
of the workers to identify and pull sick
cattle effectively and provide feedback
on treatment response.

32. Agenda
32
The Cattle Industry in Portugal
Control of BRD in Portugal
Final considerations. SWOT Analysis

33. 33
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
 Level of Scientific knowledge
 Availability of antimicrobials
 Availability of good diagnostic
laboratories
Weaknesses
 94% Unskilled workers, lack of
professionalized farmers and
workers
 Organization of the market yet
to segmented. Few data available
 Few scientific studies realized
in the Portuguese reality
Opportunities
 Beef Quality Assurance programs
 More effective strategies to
enhance host resistance
 Application of genetic,
management and nutrition
technology to decrease the risk of
BRD in cattle
Threats
 Mycoplasma bovis
 New agents (coronavirus)
 Economic pressure of the food
chain
 Price of feed