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Zoetis Launches First Commercial BRD Genetic Predictions to Help Build More Resilient Beef Herds
New genetic tests allow producers to select for improved bovine respiratory disease health and survival in cattle
Published on Feb. 9, 2026
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Zoetis Inc. has announced the launch of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) genetic predictions in its INHERIT® Select test for commercial cow-calf operations and as an upgrade to its INHERIT Connect test for seedstock. This marks the first time cattle producers can select replacement females and evaluate sires based on genetic predictions for BRD health and survival, which is expected to have meaningful economic impacts on the beef industry.
Why it matters
BRD costs the beef industry nearly $1 billion each year due to calf and production losses and increased treatment expenses. Until now, producers had no way to evaluate and select for the genetics that influence calf BRD health and survival after weaning. This innovation gives producers a new tool to build healthier, more resilient beef herds over the long term.
The details
The new BRD genetic predictions include three metrics: BRD Health (BRDH) GEPD to predict genetic differences in the likelihood calves will stay healthy without BRD treatment, BRD Survival (BRDS) GEPD to predict genetic differences in the likelihood calves will survive to harvest without dying from BRD, and a $BRD Economic Index that combines BRDH and BRDS into a single dollar value. Producers can use these predictions to select replacement heifers and evaluate bulls to set the stage for healthier and more productive calf crops.
- Zoetis announced the launch on February 9, 2026.
The players
Zoetis Inc.
The world's leading animal health company, driven by a purpose to advance care for animals.
Brett Bristol
Head of Zoetis Precision Animal Health.
Kent Andersen, PhD
Director of Beef Technical Services for Zoetis Precision Animal Health.
What they’re saying
“This is a breakthrough for the beef industry. For the first time, producers can make selection and breeding decisions based on Genomic Expected Progeny Differences for BRD health and survival, in addition to production traits. Long-term, this innovation is expected to have meaningful economic impacts on commercial cow/calf producers and downstream backgrounders and feeders.”
— Brett Bristol, Head of Zoetis Precision Animal Health
“GEPDs for BRD and $BRD bridge an economically important gap in current beef genetic evaluations. BRD predictions give us a way to select for post-weaning BRDH and BRDS and related economic impact that we couldn't before. That matters when used along with predictions for maternal, feedlot, carcass and adaptability traits, and simplified via economic indexes.”
— Kent Andersen, PhD, Director of Beef Technical Services for Zoetis Precision Animal Health
What’s next
Producers can contact their Zoetis Genetics representative or visit beefgenetics.com to learn more and get started with testing the new BRD genetic predictions.
The takeaway
This innovation from Zoetis gives beef producers a powerful new tool to build healthier, more resilient herds by selecting for improved bovine respiratory disease genetics. Leveraging these BRD predictions can have meaningful long-term economic impacts by reducing costly BRD-related losses and improving overall herd productivity.
