Genetic Improvement of Dairy
Cattle Health
J. B. Cole1, P. D. Miller2, and H. D. Norman1
1
Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory
Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD
2
Department of Dairy Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
2004
Overview
• Response to selection using field-
recorded traits is efficient and well-
documented.
• Herd owners are interested in
healthy, longer-lived cows.
• Genetic variability exists for health
traits of economic interest.
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Overview
• Statistical and computational tools
for genetic evaluation exist.
• Data processing routines can be
developed.
• However, data needed for routine
evaluations are limited.
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Why select for improved health?
• Longer-lived (more profitable)
cows.
• Decreased cost of production.
• Reduced herd turnover.
• Improved animal welfare.
• Genetic gains are cumulative!
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Desirable Properties of Health Traits
• Reasonably large genetic variability
or heritability.
• Significant economic value.
• Reasonable cost of measurement
and recording.
• Consistent methods for
measurement and recording.
(Shook, 1989)
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Challenges
• Low heritabilities for some traits.
• Unfavorable correlations with milk,
fat, and protein yield.
• Affected animals have a low
frequency of occurrence.
• Diagnoses may be uncertain.
• Data are not collected in a national
database.
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Heritabilities and Correlations of
Composite Health Traits
Reproduct. Mammary Digestive Locomotive Respiratory
Reproduct. 0.02±0.04 -0.11* 0.38 0.02 -0.23*
Mammary 0.12±0.06 0.52 0.84 0.34
Digestive 0.21±0.08 0.87 0.76
Locomotive 0.16±0.07 0.74
Respiratory 0.02±0.04
* Negative genetic correlations reflect undesirable relationship.
(Lyons, Freeman, and Kuck, 1991)
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Genetic Correlations Between
Composite Health and Yield Traits
Milk Yield Fat Yield
Reproductive -0.27* -0.25*
Mammary 0.18 -0.06*
Digestive 0.44 -0.06*
Locomotive 0.48 0.45
* Negative genetic correlations reflect undesirable relationship.
(Lyons, Freeman, and Kuck, 1991)
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Genetic Tools Currently Available
• Calving Ease: Easier calving, less
dystocia, fewer stillbirths (h2=0.022).
• Daughter Pregnancy Rate: Improved
female fertility (h2=0.040).
• Productive Life: Longer working life
(h2=0.085).
• Somatic Cell Score: Improved
resistance to mastitis (h2=0.100).
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Holstein Daughter Pregnancy Rate (%)
6
4
Breeding Value
2 Cow BV
Sire BV
1
-1
-2
Holstein Birth Year
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Holstein Productive Life (mos)
2
0
Breeding Value
-1
-2
Cow BV
-3 Sire BV
-4
-5
-6
-7
Holstein Birth Year
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Format 6
• The USDA Animal Improvement
Programs Laboratory has drafted a
data exchange format to collect
health data.
• It includes standard health codes.
• The objective is to collect data for
research.
• The goal is to facilitate selection for
healthier cows.
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Format 6 Records
• Format 6 records include
Animal and herd identification
Up to 20 health event segments
• Cow records begin with a calving
and end with disposal or the next
calving.
• Heifer records begin at birth and
end at first calving.
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Health Event Segment
• Health event code
• Health event date
• Health event detail (optional)
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Standard Health Event Codes
• Currently, no health event codes
are used uniformly in dairy records
systems.
• Standard codes have been
developed based on frequency of
occurrence in field data and
consultation with veterinarians.
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Health Event Codes
Cystic ovary Metritis
Diarrhea/scours Milk fever/hypocalcemia
Digestive problem/off feed Nervous system problem
Displaced abomasum Other reproductive problem
Downer cow Respiratory problem
Dystocia Retained placenta
Johne’s disease (clinical) Stillbirth
Ketosis/acetonemia Teat injury
Lameness Udder edema
Mastitis (clinical)
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Most Frequent Health Events in
DRMS Data
Frequency Percent of Events*
Mastitis 496,531 19.27
Lameness 128,869 5.00
Metritis 126,269 4.90
Cystic ovary 81,936 3.18
Retained placenta 57,691 2.24
Digestive problem 47,156 1.83
Respiratory problem 39,918 1.55
Ketosis 25,541 0.99
Displaced abomasum 21,908 0.85
*Frequency and percent based on 2,577,004 health event observations.
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Management Events
• Three management traits are also in
Format 6
Body condition score
Milking speed
Temperament
• The format can accommodate new
traits
e.g. Locomotion score
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Optional Health Event Detail
• Details of problems of high economic
impact (e.g. clinical mastitis)
There is one mastitis event code.
Organism and quarter may be
reported.
• Other codes may also use this field
Dystocia: scores of 1 to 5.
BCS: scores of 1.00 to 5.00.
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Research Needs
• Data quality edits
• Individual versus composite traits
• Environmental factors affecting
records
• Relationships among traits
• Variance components estimation
• Genetic evaluation models
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
Summary
• Format 6 provides the framework
for a national health database.
• Selection for improved health is
possible and desirable.
• Selection complements advances in
management and veterinary care.
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Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle Health John B. Cole
