The invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding a bovine tumor necrosis factor receptor-I (TNF-RI). Also within the invention is a soluble bovine TNF-RI, which is a potent inhibitor of bovine tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-). The invention demonstrates that soluble bovine TNF-RI has therapeutic value as an inhibitor of TNF in cattle suffering from coliform mastitis or other inflammatory disease.