Selective breeding programmes are increasingly recognising that genetics that maximise yield often compromise welfare — and that breeding for health traits can align production and wellbeing.
Genetics is the deepest lever in animal welfare — a breed trait expressed in every individual animal, across their entire life, in every production system. The Holstein dairy cow bred for 15,000 litre lactations will experience metabolic challenges regardless of housing or feeding quality, because her physiology has been optimised for performance at the expense of resilience. Conversely, breeding for longevity, fertility, disease resistance and structural soundness produces animals that are inherently more capable of welfare. The Nordic dairy experience demonstrates that welfare-oriented genetics can deliver production outcomes that are competitive over a full herd lifetime.