Based on the results from a dynamic within-herd simulation model, these
findings may be partly explained by the age-related probability of animals being persistently infected with BVDV as well
as the herd demographic structure at the time of animal introductions. There was also evidence that an epidemiologically
important network statistic, “betweenness centrality” (a measure frequently associated with the potential for herds to
acquire and transmit disease), was significantly higher for herds that supplied these particular types of replacement beef
cattle