Speakers at BeefEx 2026 credited widespread pre-vaccination against respiratory disease with lower BRD mortalities, fewer chronic cases and reduced workload for pen riders — measures that operators say have improved feedlot efficiency and returns.
JBS mandated pre-entry vaccination in its NSW feedlots and now reports 100% of Angus cattle in its five QLD/NSW yards are vaccinated with Coopers Bovilis MH+IBR.
MLA data presented at BeefEx show a 50% reduction in BRD mortalities over the past decade despite a 50% increase in cattle on feed.
Gundamain Feedlot found revaccination on day 13 in-yard is highly effective for mixed and higher-risk southern cattle, and offers incentives rather than mandates.
# What happened
# Who is doing what JBS introduced a pre-entry vaccination requirement in its NSW feedlots and has expanded the practice. Five years after first mandating vaccination in its three NSW yards, JBS now reports 100 percent of Angus cattle in all five of its Queensland and New South Wales yards are pre-vaccinated using Coopers Bovilis MH+IBR. Other large operators accept vaccinations using Zoetis Bovishield as well as Coopers Bovilis MH.
# Measured industry outcomes MLA's Feedlot R&D Program Manager, Dr Tony Batterham, presented industry-level results: while the number of cattle on feed has grown by about 50 percent over the last decade, BRD mortality has fallen by roughly 50 percent. That means mortality has declined even as throughput increased.
Dr Batterham attributed the change to improved immune responses driven by vaccination and the value of vaccinating all susceptible cattle in a yard. When vaccination is structural — built into entry requirements — he said the results are more consistent. If pens contain a mixture of vaccinated and unvaccinated animals, the benefits are less certain.
# Operational effects on feedlot teams Speakers stressed practical benefits beyond mortality statistics. Fewer BRD cases means pen riders pull and treat fewer animals, reducing labour pressure and allowing staff to focus on other health issues or management tasks. JBS's livestock leadership and Gundamain both reported that fewer cattle present with respiratory signs, which eases strain on infrastructure and teams and reduces the number of chronic animals that leave the feedlot underperforming or as rejects.
# What worked in practice
# Practical takeaway for producers and lotfeeders If the goal is to reduce BRD-related deaths and chronic cases, make vaccination policy consistent across the cohort of susceptible cattle in a pen or yard. Where pre-vaccination at source is not universal, plan a reliable in-yard revaccination or recheck schedule. Consistent coverage aligns immune responses across pens, which appears linked to the reduced morbidity and mortality reported at BeefEx 2026.
Losing young bulls to breakdown was once a major cost for an Esperance (WA) cattle producing family - but 20 years of vaccinating virgin bulls before joining has helped them reduce losses and improve their confidence in investing in better genetics.
Calving is only around the corner for a lot of autumn herds, meaning preparations for optimal calf health should be well underway. Winter milking can be a costly practice in the best of years, with tight fodder availability and less than desirable milk prices, so these farms will be feeling the pressure on margins. The
A livestock industry leader who helped turn around public perceptions of Australian egg production will share lessons from that experience with grainfed beef stakeholders on the Gold Coast later this month.
Testing new cattle and quarantine measures reduce BVD risk in beef herds, saving treatment costs and preventing disease outbreaks.
With the biennial BeefEx feedlot conference about to start, the benefit of the feedlot industry for all of us is it rewards both ways – continuity of product and supply to the processor and supply chain orders from weaners onwards for the producer. Understanding livestock performance is now essential at all levels, and
Price trends among young cattle were erratic in online trading this week, where AuctionsPlus recovered somewhat from the previous week’s low (6700 head) to 10,476 head. The larger offering saw clearance ease to 88pc, down seven percentage points week on week.
Loading more related stories...
Open the app view to save this story, compare related coverage, and continue from the same source.