Genetic selection in cattle directly determines welfare outcomes over generations, with selection for health, longevity, and temperament alongside production traits improving welfare at the population level.
Genetic selection decisions made today determine the welfare of hundreds of millions of cattle over the coming decades. The historical focus on production traits alone created cattle with metabolic vulnerabilities that compromise their health and welfare. Integrating welfare-relevant traits including disease resistance, fertility, longevity, and temperament into selection programs addresses the root causes of common welfare problems rather than just managing their consequences. The availability of genomic selection makes multi-trait improvement more feasible than ever. The responsibility lies with breeders, breed societies, and semen suppliers to prioritize welfare traits alongside production metrics.