Repeatability of Health and Welfare Traits and Correlation with Performance Traits in Dairy Goats Reared under Low-Input Farming Systems

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to estimate the repeatability of health and welfare traits and investigate their association with performance in three breeds of dairy goats reared under low-input farming systems in Greece. A total of 1210 goats of Eghoria (n = 418), Skopelos (n = 429), and Damascus (n = 363) breeds were assessed. Udder health, parasitic resistance, welfare, milk yield and quality, and body condition score were recorded monthly for two milking periods. Udder health records included somatic cell count (SCC) and total viable count (TVC). Based on combinations of SCC and TVC and thresholds set at >106 cells/mL and >2 × 104 cfu/mL, respectively, additional udder health phenotypes were defined. Parasitism included myiasis, tick infestation, gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) and cestode faecal egg count (FEC), and lungworm faecal larval count (FLC). Infection with each of the endoparasites was defined based on FEC/FLC. Welfare assessment parameters included the presence of ear and horn injuries, ocular and nasal discharge, body and udder abscesses, injury and lesions on the skin of different regions, diarrhoea, hernias, overgrown hooves, arthritis, lameness, and udder asymmetry. Trait repeatability and animal correlations were estimated. Significant (p < 0.05) repeatability was reported for all udder health and most welfare traits in all breeds, GIN and cestode FEC, and GIN and lungworm infection in Eghoria, and myiasis in Skopelos. Correlations of health and most of welfare traits with performance were non-significant or favourable. Overall, results demonstrate potential to improve health and welfare of the studied breeds without compromising performance.

Estimates of Genetic Parameters for Milk, the Occurrence of and Susceptibility to Clinical Lameness and Claw Disorders in Dairy Goats

“…Our study is the first to report heritability estimates for lameness and claw disorder traits in dairy goats and depicted genetic variation, a novel insight into goat health and breeding. This is in line with a recently published paper that indicated that limb problems and lameness had a moderate to high repeatability in dairy goats; therefore, the potential role of genetics on the occurrence of lameness is indicated [ 14 ]. Our study also suggests that lameness and claw disorders should be included in dairy goat breeding programs on commercial dairy goat farms.…”

“…Another factor that may explain the higher heritability estimate for clinical lameness susceptibility than for clinical lameness occurrence is that the calculation of lameness susceptibility includes some degree of the permanent environment effect. Vouraki et al [ 14 ] indicated moderate to high (0.51) between-animal variation of lameness in Damascus dairy goats; however, they were unable to separate the genetic variation from the permanent environmental effects. A permanent environmental effect influences an individual’s performance for a repeated trait.…”

“…A second, more recent study reported a moderate to high repeatability of limb problems (arthritis and overgrown claws) and lameness in Damascus, a dairy goat breed in Greece. Repeatability includes the genetic and environmental effects, and low repeatability suggests a greater influence of the temporary environment on the trait of interest [ 14 ]. The evidence in sheep and dairy cows suggests that the heritabilities of lameness and claw disorders need to be investigated further in dairy goats.…”

Novel Resilient and Sustainable Farm Profiles in Small Ruminant Production Systems Using Mathematical Programming Model

“…It has to be mentioned that the use of different levels of prevalence and/or impact on farm indicators will produce different results. 9 Gelasakis et al [36]; 10 Winter and Green [37]; 11 Nieuwhof et al [38]; 12 Vasileiou et al [39]; 13 Leitner et al [40]; 14 Martinez-Valladares et al [41]; 15 Cruz-Rozo et al [42]; 16 Martí-De Olives [43]; 17 Kouam et al [44]; 18 Suarez et al [45]; 19 Arsenos et al [46]; 20 Skoufos et al [47], 21 Albenzio et al [48]; 22 Moschovas et al [49]; 23 IDELE and INRAE expert judgement, 24 Gelasakis et al [50], 25 Batzios [51], 26 Vouraki et al [52]; 27 Papanikolopoulou et al [53]; 28 Data in Table 2 show that the prevalence of clinical and subclinical mastitis on these breed varies from 10% in Assaf sheep breed, which is reared intensively, and animals are fed exclusively on purchased concentrates and forage with very limited access to pasture, to 27% in Boutsiko sheep, which are reared under an extensive system, mostly grazing on natural grasslands. The prevalence of GIN parasites varies from 10% in Lacaune sheep in France to 47% in Boutsiko sheep, while the prevalence of lameness has been set to 7% for the Chios sheep and 9% for the rest of the breeds.…”

Bem-estar em caprinos leiteiros

“…Um dos aspectos que devem ser avaliado é a saúde dos caprinos leiteiros, podendo ser exemplificado: a saúde do úbere, resistência ao parasitismo, cascos, artrites e lesões cutâneas que são indicativos desfavoráveis. O produtor precisa adotar medidas de boas práticas que estão diretamente associadas às condições ambientais, ao alojamento e manejo sanitário do rebanho, para que as cabras possam ter bemestar (Vouraki et al, 2022).…”