Title: Breeding for digital dermatitis resistant dairy cows

Funded by: Mælkeafgiftsfonden (Milk Levy Foundation)

AU project manager: Senior researcher Goutam Sahana, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics

Collaboration partners: Copenhagen University, Aarhus University, SEGES

Project period: 2025

Funding amount: 858,000 DKK

Project description

Purpose: To create knowledge about which gene/genes code for resistance to the most extensive hoof disorder, digital dermatitis (DD) and to what extent it can protect against digital dermatitis compared to cows that do not have the same characteristics.

Activities: Genes that code for resistance to DD in cows have been identified continuously over the past 10 years. The genomic analysis that is routinely performed on cows and breeding bulls can show which cows and bulls have genetic resistance to digital dermatitis. In the project, genes that code for DD resistance are identified by analysis of the genome from cows with DD and the genome from healthy cows. By analyzing the bull's genome for the DD resistance gene, the heritability of DD resistance can be mapped. The project exclusively uses data from the cattle database and from Viking Genetics.

Effects: Based on these data, the effect of targeted breeding against digital dermatitis resistance in dairy cows is calculated. The effects of the project will be to reduce the number of cows that develop digital dermatitis.