Calf Wellness Traits

Calves must remain alive and healthy in order for dairy producers to realize maximum returns on the genetic investment they have made in the next generation. According to the USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), pre-weaning death loss in calves’ average 7.8%, with the leading causes of death being scours (56.5%) and respiratory diseases (22.5%). While nutrition and management play critical roles in calf health, there is also a genetic component that must be addressed to maximize success when investing in the next generation.

Leading Causes of Death in Pre-Weaned Calves (USDA-NAHMS)

Following extensive research, Zoetis has developed genomic evaluations for three Calf Wellness Traits. In April, 2018 Zoetis released genomic evaluations for Calf Livability, Calf Scours and Calf Respiratory Disease. These three traits have been identified as the most crucial to calf health and dairy profitability.

Impact of Calf Health and Mortality

Calf Wellness Index™ (CW$™) The Calf Wellness Index™ (CW$™) focuses exclusively on the calf wellness traits and has no

correlation with the Wellness Trait Index™ (WT$™), which focuses on cow wellness traits. The traits included in CW$™ include Calf Livability (43%), Calf Scours (29%) and Calf Respiratory Disease (28%).

CW$™ Relative Value

CW$™ and individual trait values will typically range from 85-115, with 100 as the mean and every +/-5 being one standard deviation from the mean. CW$™ will be included as a component of Dairy Wellness Profit Index™ (DWP$™) with a weight of 8%.

DWP$™ Relative Value

WWS Ongoing Commitment to Animal WellnessThere are many tools available to allow for the genetic improvement of calf and cow health.

Through ongoing research and work with Zoetis, WWS leads the industry in providing genetics for long lasting, healthy, profitable animals for our global customers.

For further information, please visit the links below:

USDA. Dairy Heifer Raiser, 2011. An overview of operations that specialize in raising dairy heifers. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahms/dairy/downloads/dairyheifer11/HeiferRaiser.pdf

Zoetis: Technical Bulletin. February 2018. https://www.zoetisus.com/animal-genetics/media/documents/clarifide-resources/clr-00293_calf_wellness_tech_bulletin.pdf

Zoetis: ZOETIS EXPANDS GENETICS PORTFOLIO WITH CALF WELLNESS TRAITS IN CLARIFIDE® PLUS. https://www.zoetisus.com/news-and-media/zoetis-expands-genetics-portfolio-with-calf-wellness-traits-in-clarifide-plus.aspx