Cattle Welfare through Genomic Selection

Genomic selection tools are enabling breeding programs to select for health and welfare traits alongside production, improving cattle welfare at the population level.

Key Facts

Genomic breeding values can now incorporate mastitis resistance, lameness resistance, and longevity
Selection for health traits is increasingly economically rewarded as their production cost is recognized
Polled genetics selected genomically can eliminate the need for painful dehorning procedures
Inbreeding management through genomic tools maintains genetic diversity essential for welfare
International cooperation on health trait recording enables larger reference populations for selection

Welfare Considerations

Genetic selection for health and welfare traits represents one of the most scalable welfare improvements in dairy and beef production. Breeding healthier animals reduces the disease burden experienced across entire national herds and persists across generations.

What You Can Do

Support dairy and beef breeding programs that incorporate health traits in selection indexes
Advocate for polled genetics selection to eliminate dehorning welfare compromise
Choose dairy products from producers using genomic health trait selection