Lameness in genomic selection of Holstein cows

ZAVADILOVÁ, Ludmila, KAŠNÁ, Eva, KRUPOVÁ, Zuzana, KUČERA, J., FLEISCHER, P. and ŠLOSÁRKOVÁ, Soňa. Lameness in genomic selection of Holstein cows. Chovatelské listy, 2022, vol. 2022(1), p. 22-25. ISSN .
Year2022
CathegoryOthers
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Abstract

Cow lameness brings significant economic losses. Lameness is caused by the management and environment and genetic predisposition; among others, lameness is triggered by foot and claw disorders. In 2020, claw disorders were in second place among cow culling causes in the Czech Republic. As of April 2022, lameness was registered in the Diary of Diseases and Treatment in 17,000 cases. Lameness is mainly registered in Holstein cattle herds. Lameness is a complex trait and can be considered an indicator trait representing claw disease. It can be a goal of breeding in itself. In April 2022, records from 44 herds of Holstein cattle, 39,000 cows, and 70,000 lactations, of which 8% have had lameness reported at least once, were used to estimate genomic breeding values for lameness. Genetic trends and reliability showed a rising trend in breeding values for the female part of the population, but in particular increasing reliability for the breeding value of lameness. Genetic correlations between lameness and foot and claw diseases confirmed the assumption of a strong genetic relationship between interdigital phlegmon and the genetic predisposition to lameness. At the same time, there was also a strong genetic link between walking and interdigital phlegmon. A similar but low genetic relationship was found between lameness, locomotion and digital dermatitis.