Do old genetics hold the key for mastitis prevention?

Authors: Sarlo Davila, Kaitlyn

Submitted to: Progressive Dairyman
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Mastitis is the most prevalent and costly disease in dairy herds. It has been estimated to affect one-third of all dairy cows and cost the dairy industry $2 billion each year due to loss of production. Research at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Animal Disease Center (NADC) is focused on using genomic and mitigation strategies to control mastitis. A key aspect of this research is a herd of Holsteins from the University of Minnesota that have not undergone any genetic selection since 1964. These unselected Holsteins have been shown to be mastitis-resistant compared to modern Holsteins that have undergone genetic selection. During an experimental mastitis challenge with E. coli, the unselected Holsteins were able to clear the infection almost immediately and had fewer clinical signs of infection compared to modern Holsteins. The long-term research goal is to identify genetic traits that allow the cows from 1964 immune systems to better protect against mastitis and bring these immunological advantages into modern dairy cows.