Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Welfare and Genetic Improvement for Disease Resistance

Genetic selection for disease resistance in cattle is an emerging welfare tool. Heritable resistance traits reduce disease burden and antibiotic use across generations.

Key Facts

Mastitis resistance is heritable and can be selected for using genomic tools
SCC (somatic cell count) EBVs enable breeding selection for mastitis resistance
Digital dermatitis susceptibility has a heritable component being characterised
Johne's disease resistance traits are being identified and incorporated into selection indices
Genetic improvement for disease resistance offers long-term welfare benefits across generations

Welfare Considerations

Genetic selection for disease resistance is a long-term, scalable welfare intervention. Improving resistance traits in cattle populations reduces disease burden that causes suffering for millions of animals over decades.

What You Can Do

Support cattle breeding companies incorporating disease resistance traits
Advocate for welfare trait inclusion in cattle breeding indices
Learn about genetics of disease resistance in cattle
Choose dairy and beef from farms using disease-resistant genetics