Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains one of the most costly cattle diseases worldwide. Its multi-factorial nature both in terms of risk factors and causative agents means that when approaching the disease it is important to develop a systematic approach to the identification, investigation, management and future prevention of the disease. Diagnostic sampling can play a key role in understanding the disease process on a specific farm but it is important to select the correct animals for sampling and the correct diagnostic testing. Treatment for BRD remains symptomatic and needs to be instituted quickly in order to have the most effect. Following the identification and initial management of a disease outbreak it is important to then look at future prevention strategies. Prevention consists of both vaccination programmes and establishing and maintaining management practices which reduce the risk of disease.