Short Communication: Genetic association of body condition score with disease resistance in first lactation Canadian Holsteins

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Koeck ◽  
Filippo Miglior ◽  
David F. Kelton ◽  
Flavio S. Schenkel
Keyword(s):  
Disease Resistance ◽  
Genetic Association ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Short Communication ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
System Body ◽  
Cattle Health ◽  
Type Classification

Koeck, A., Miglior, F., Kelton, D. F. and Schenkel, F. S. 2012. Short Communication: Genetic association of body condition score with disease resistance in first lactation Canadian Holsteins. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 285–289. The objective of this study was to investigate if body condition score (BCS) can be used as an indicator of specific diseases in first lactation Canadian Holstein cows. Body condition score was routinely recorded by professional type classifiers, as part of the national type classification system. Health data recorded by producers were available from the national dairy cattle health recording system. Body condition score was genetically negatively correlated with several health disorders, indicating that animals with a higher BCS have fewer disease cases. The results imply that BCS could be used to indirectly select for animals that are more resistant to specific diseases.

Selection indexes using calving interval, condition score and milk yield in dairy cattle

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 ◽  
pp. 37-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.E. Pryce ◽  
M.P. Coffey ◽  
S.H. Brotherstone ◽  
J.A. Woolliams
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Classification Scheme ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Selection Criterion ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Selection Indexes ◽  
Interval Condition ◽  
Type Classification

Increasing genetic merit for production has been associated with a decline in dairy cow fertility. In order to sustain lactation it appears that appreciable amounts of body condition are being mobilised, which may impinge on fertility. Body condition score (BCS) of first lactation heifers is recorded by Holstein UK and Ireland (HUKI) as part of its national type classification scheme. BCS may be a useful selection criterion for improving fertility. Calving dates and hence calving interval (CI) are generally very reliably recorded, but the usefulness of CI as a selection criterion is hampered for a number of reasons, one being that only the most fertile cows have two consecutive calving dates. This is a serious issue that still needs to be addressed. Our aim here was to investigate if there is genetic covariation between BCS and CI after adjustment for milk yield and to investigate selection responses in all three traits when selection is for each trait in turn and how responses are affected by restrictions imposing no genetic change in one of the traits. Restricting a trait to no change when it is correlated to a trait under selection may be important in developing customised indexes to satisfy specific requirements.

scholarly journals Health and Body Conditions of Riding School Horses Housed in Groups or Kept in Conventional Tie-Stall/Box Housing

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Yngvesson ◽  
Juan Rey Torres ◽  
Jasmine Lindholm ◽  
Annika Pättiniemi ◽  
Petra Andersson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Group Housing ◽  
Respiratory Problems ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Body Condition Scoring ◽  
Regular Body

We compared welfare measures of horses among Swedish riding schools (RS) during winter where horses were kept either in group housing (n = 8) or in tie-stalls/boxes (n = 8), Health data for six previous months were obtained for all horses at each RS from their records. Ten horses per RS were examined, with the exception of one where only 8 horses were examined. Health conditions and body condition score (BCS) using the Henneke scale were recorded and management factors were quantified (health check routines, feeding, housing-related risk factors, time outside). RS-recorded health data (for 327 horses in total) revealed that lameness was the most common issue in both systems. Respiratory problems and colic were significantly more common in tie-stall/box horses. The percentage of horses with respiratory problems (mean ± SEM) was 5.8 ± 1.4 in tie-stall/box systems and 1.1 ± 0.8 in group housing (F = 8.65, p = 0.01). The percentage with colic was 2.38 ± 0.62 in tie-stall/box systems and 0.38 ± 0.26 in group housing (F = 8.62, p = 0.01). Clinical examination of 158 horses revealed 207 conditions in these horses, the most common being minor skin injuries in areas affected by tack (i.e., saddle and bridle, including bit). Such injuries tended to be more prevalent in horses housed in tie-stalls/boxes (1.8 ± 0.6) than in group housing (0.5 ± 0.3) (F=3.14, p = 0.01). BCS was similar between systems (tie-stall/box 6.2 ± 0.1, group 6.3 ± 0.1), but the average BCS exceeded the level that is considered optimal (BCS 4–6). In conclusion, we found that Swedish RS horses are generally in good health, particularly when group-housed. However, 25%–32% were overweight. Riding schools would thus benefit from having an independent feeding expert performing regular body condition scoring of all horses and advising on feeding regimens.

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