Genetic selection to reduce lameness in dairy cattle

Abstract

The high prevalence of lameness in dairy cattle is a critical issue for the industry. Despite having a low heritability, considerable genetic variability is associated with the risk of lameness; therefore, genetic selection can be used to complement management-based approaches to reduce lameness in dairy herds. The Lameness Advantage genetic index, available for all recorded and evaluated dairy animals in the UK, is an estimate of an animal's genetic predisposition to lameness. It has been shown that cows with higher Lameness Advantage values had a reduced incidence of sole lesions, digital dermatitis, and lameness; therefore, breeding to increase the average Lameness Advantage value of a herd could be beneficial. This can be readily achieved by breeding replacements from bulls with a Lameness Advantage value that is above the herd average; this is a low-cost and effective strategy that all farms could implement almost immediately to improve foot health. It is important to ensure a balanced approach to genetic selection by first selecting the parents of the next generation on their overall profitability index (eg £PLI, £SCI or £ACI), followed by secondary selection criteria to address specific breeding goals.