By: Austin Weynand, MHS
In Dr. John Richeson’s laboratory, One Health-related research practices are becoming the norm alongside a dedication to animal science. The animals in question are beef and dairy cattle, a major commodity in the Texas economy. Since 2011, Richeson
has overseen the conduction of 8 to 15 annual research trials to ensure the health and productivity of feedlot cattle, promoted and encouraged by commercial cattle feeders. The University’s relationship with the industry predates Richeson by
several decades. But the health of beef cattle extends beyond their eating habits. Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is a paramount concern to Richeson and his associates as a major contributor to cattle morbidity and mortality. “[BRD] is difficult
to mitigate in the industry, and we still see it as much as we did 40 years ago,” he explains. A multipathogenic disease process, BRD also involves physiologic stress and immunosuppression that remains a threat to both animal health and the
beef-production economy. According to Richeson, BRD involves four viruses. These include bovine viral diarrhea virus, bovine herpesvirus-1, bovine RSV, and bovine parainfluenza 3 virus, each of which contributes to the disease process in unique ways.
Flu species, such as influenza D, are newer suspects in BRD manifestation. Viral replication can create damage in the upper respiratory tract which disrupt the normal microbiota and lead to bronchopneumonia. Bacterial culprits of interest include
Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida. Though these species aren’t a direct concern to human health, “the healthier animals are, the less likely they are to have a foodborne pathogen present, and the more efficiently they will
grow.” Foodborne pathogens on Richeson’s radar are typically Salmonella and E. coli, both of which can cause disease in humans if consumed.
On a related note, Dr. Richeson discusses improved cattle vaccination schedules as a goal on his “research bucket list.” Only about 40% of calves are vaccinated before being shipped from their ranch origin, whereas >99% are vaccinated upon
arrival to the feed lot. There is no mandate on vaccination timing, and disease challenge often occurs in the period between sale from a ranch and entry into a feed lot. Yet immunization is effective in the right scenario; as a preventative tool,
that is, and not for curbing an outbreak already in process. Other studies Richeson would like to conduct include improving the bovine gut and respiratory microbiome to enable greater disease resistance, and technology to detect BRD earlier in cattle.
Dr. Richeson currently serves as both a faculty member in the Department of Agricultural Sciences and a researcher in the Feedlot Research Group and Ruminant Health and Immunology Laboratory; he is also a new research collaborator with One Health at UTMB.
Though much of his time is spent on research, he also teaches graduate and undergraduate courses at West Texas A&M. His publications can be found here, and more information on the Research Feedlot can be found here.