Farm Animal Welfare

Genetic Disease Resistance and Livestock Welfare

Selecting livestock breeds for disease resistance reduces antibiotic use and improves welfare by reducing the frequency and severity of common diseases.

Key Facts

Scrapie resistance breeding in sheep has dramatically reduced the prevalence of this fatal neurological disease
Bovine respiratory disease resistance has genetic components being studied for selection potential
Mastitis resistance in dairy cattle has heritable components being incorporated into selection indices
PRRS resistance in pigs is under development through both conventional and gene editing approaches
Disease-resistant breeds require fewer antibiotics and have better welfare outcomes over their productive lives

Welfare Considerations

Genetic disease resistance breeding is one of the most durable welfare improvements available in livestock: animals that don't get sick don't suffer the welfare consequences of disease or the stress of treatment. Selection for disease resistance complements management-based disease prevention and antibiotic stewardship. Investment in resistance genetics for the major diseases affecting each species represents a welfare improvement that compounds over generations.

What You Can Do

Support research into genetic disease resistance in livestock species
Advocate for disease resistance traits to be weighted in national livestock selection indices
Choose animal products from breeds with demonstrated disease resistance profiles
Donate to genetic research organizations working on disease resistance in livestock