Metadata beyond the sequence enables the phylodynamic inference of bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1a isolates from Western Canada

•We infer the evolution of BVDV type 1a in Western Canada.•BVDV 1a in Western Canada has a most recent common ancestor dated near 1909.•The E1-E2 gene region has a much higher substitution rate than the 5′UTR.•Genetic clusters are associated with collection location.•Bayesian approaches allow the integration of metadata beyond the genetic sequence.