Genomics and Cattle Welfare: Selecting for Wellbeing

Key Welfare Considerations

• Genomic selection using SNP arrays enables accurate prediction of breeding values for welfare-relevant traits.
• Selection against high somatic cell count (SCC) genomic EPDs reduces mastitis prevalence and pain in dairy herds.
• Lameness-associated hoof health traits including foot angle, heel depth, and claw conformation are heritable.
• Digital dermatitis resistance has estimated heritability of 0.1-0.2, making genomic selection feasible.
• Calving ease EPDs reduce dystocia rates, improving welfare for both dams and calves.
• Temperament scores are heritable (h²~0.3-0.4) and can be included in genomic selection indices.
• Selection for docility improves animal-handler safety and reduces handling stress for cattle.
• Longevity traits indicate underlying health and welfare, with genomic selection improving productive life.
• Heat tolerance QTLs identified in tropical breeds enable selection for thermal welfare in climate change contexts.
• Disease resistance traits including BVDV, BRD, and Johne's disease have genomic selection opportunities.
• Negative genetic correlations between production and welfare traits require careful index weighting.
• Genomic breeding values for residual feed intake relate to feed efficiency and associated welfare-relevant behaviours.
• International genomic databases enable selection across national herds for widespread welfare improvement.
• Precision livestock farming combined with genomics creates individual welfare management opportunities.
• Welfare-weighted selection indices represent the future of cattle breeding, balancing production and wellbeing.