Genomic testing in dairy cattle can significantly reduce animal health costs and improve profitability if the results of a recent study are anything to go by.
Results from the study revealed that farmers were able to reduce the incidence of disease on farm and thereby antibiotic use. Furthermore genomic testing was shown to increase profitability by accurately predicting the performance and health traits of an animal, which in turn enabled better farm management.
The study, in 2019, saw 1053 cows across four Arla UK 360 farms genomically tested using Clarifide Plus and it was found that animals with better genomic predictions for milk yield, mastitis and lameness, produced more milk. Furthermore, because they had reduced disease, they were treated with fewer antibiotics.
A heifer being genomic tested by taking a sample of DNA from the ear
The main results found:
A 43% reduction in the prevalence of mastitis between the bottom and top third of cows ranked on the Zoetis mastitis trait, which equated to £38 a cow per lactation.
A 1604kg (33%) difference in milk yield between the bottom and top third of animals ranked on genomic milk yield PTA, equating to £433 a cow per lactation based on a milk price of 27ppl.
A 42% reduction in the prevalence of lameness between the bottom and top third of animals ranked on the Zoetis lameness trait, equating to £13 a cow per lactation.
A 44% reduction in the amount of lactating cow intramammary antibiotic tubes that were used in the top 25% of cows ranked on DWP compared to the bottom 25%. This amounted to around 1.8 times more tubes being used in the bottom 25% compared to the top 25%.
The results from the UK study were supported by a more in-depth study in the US, published earlier in the year, which put exact figures on the value of the Clarifide Plus selection index Dairy Wellness profit (DWP). It found the average animal ranked in the top 25% on DWP stayed in the herd 202 days longer than the average animal in the bottom 25% and returned an extra £1315 in income over feed costs.
The genomic test incorporates health and wellness traits in addition to the production and fertility traits delivered by standard genomic testing. DWP is based not only on lifetime productivity but also health, giving an overall view as to how profitable a heifer could be. Farmers can view a ranking of the top 100 Holstein females ranked on DWP at www.clarifide.co.uk
Study results show that farmers using the genomic test can improve overall herd profitability by allowing them to base their selection decisions not only on production, but on reproduction, health, type and wellness.
Zoetis ruminant veterinary consultant, Joshua Batterham, said: “Using Clarifide Plus gives farmers a clearer idea of the potential of a heifer pre-weaning. This means they can manage how they treat each animal, such as deciding which animal to breed replacements from, which to put to beef, as well as those they may consider selling. It also helps inform bull choice by correcting parentage, identifying carriers of infertility genes, and aiding in corrective mating.
“By only breeding from animals with the best genomic predictions farmers can have longer lived, healthier cows, which will reduce replacement rates and costs and will significantly improve the carbon impact of the dairy operation. These are all factors of increasing importance, with more focus being placed on farm efficiency due to direct support payments being phased out and the 2040 net zero target.”
Mr Batterham added selecting animals less likely to have health issues, ensures a win win scenario.
“By breeding animals that are less likely to succumb to certain conditions such as mastitis, metritis, calf pneumonia and lameness, farmers are not only cutting antibiotics and the associated costs, but it also means more milk in the tank from animals with longer lives and improved welfare.”
Tissue sample unit for testing
Arla farmer John Baggs from Worgret Manor, Wareham, Dorset, milks 260 Holsteins. He was involved in the UK study as part of the Arla UK 360 programme and says the genomic results, particularly for mastitis, aligned completely with his on-farm experiences.
He said: “Genomics helped us to gain a much greater appreciation of our herd’s genetic makeup, which allows us to make much better-informed breeding decisions. We are now using our results to drive improvements in milk solids and health traits. As an Arla farmer, the sustainability of my farm is particularly important to me. To have the lowest carbon footprint possible, I need the best possible cow in every cubicle. Genomic testing my heifers allows me to do this.”
He has since tested 77 heifers with Clarifide Plus, with a second batch to follow and is also considering genomic testing the stock bulls he is using on the cows.
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