Claw health index for Dutch dairy cattle based on claw trimming and conformation data

The purpose of this study was to develop a model for a routine genetic evaluation of claw health traits and to develop an index including data on claw health and conformation traits. Claw health data comprised observations on 40,536 dairy cows of claw traits recorded by claw trimmers. Claw health traits scored were sole hemorrhage (SH), digital dermatitis (DD), interdigital dermatitis (ID), wall ulcer (WU), sole ulcer (SU), interdigital hyperplasia (IH), and white line disease (WL). A combined claw health trait was added as a trait to the data, combining all claw disorders. Observations on 5 feet and leg conformation traits on 41,048 animals were evaluated as predictive traits for claw health. These conformation traits were rear leg side view, rear leg rear view, foot angle, locomotion, and feet and legs. Prevalence of claw disorders ranged from 3% (WU) to 38% (SH). Overall, 69% of the animals had at least one claw disorder. Estimated heritabilities for claw health traits ranged from 0.01 (WU) to 0.13 (IH), and repeatabilities (within and across lactation) ranged from 0.15 (WU) to 0.57 (IH). Genetic correlations of claw health traits in parity 1 and parities ≥2 ranged from 0.72 to 1.00. Estimated genetic correlations among claw health traits ranged from −0.35 to 0.88 and between claw health and conformation traits ranged from −0.58 to 0.41. The breeding goal for claw health was to reduce costs due to claw disorders. The economic index for claw health, which included claw health and feet and leg conformation traits, had a reliability of 59% for an average progeny-tested bull in the Netherlands. The prevalence of claw disorders can be reduced up to 0.7% per year with selection on claw health only.