GEA backs new dairy breeding push as data strengthens genetic case for tackling lameness
Researchers say large and consistent datasets now show that lameness has a meaningful genetic link.
USA – GEA and its partners have reported new progress in efforts to reduce lameness in dairy herds after a joint study confirmed that genetics play a stronger role in this condition than many farmers once believed.
Experts shared these findings at the World Dairy Expo 2025 in Wisconsin, marking a turning point for breeding programs that aim to raise cows with improved mobility and longer productive lives.
The study relied on millions of daily mobility assessments collected through the AI based CattleEye system, which GEA distributes worldwide. The system films cows as they leave the milking area and scores their movement without human bias.
Researchers from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding in the United States and the University of Minnesota said this volume of objective data provides a clear foundation for genetic work that older scoring methods could not support.
Terry Canning, Senior Director at GEA and founder of CattleEye, said the results show real gains ahead for farmers. “We’re looking at breeding cows that simply don’t get lame as often,” he said. “This isn’t about treating lameness better or catching it earlier. It’s about creating herds where the problem largely doesn’t occur. That’s transformational for both animal welfare and farm economics.”
New traits under development
The research group presented two mobility related traits that are now advancing toward use in national breeding programs. One focuses on hoof health, informed by data from professional hoof trimmers. The other draws directly from CattleEye mobility scores. Both traits aim to help farmers select animals that walk smoothly and stay sound throughout their productive years.
Preliminary analysis by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding shows that mobility may carry heritability of between 10 percent and 30 percent. This level gives breeders enough room to plan long term improvements across herds.
Maximilian Jacobi, Senior Director Market and Product Management at GEA, said farms are already seeing value. “Our customers see CattleEye not only as a diagnostic tool, but as a data platform that empowers them to actively breed for healthier, more durable herds,” he said.
Costs and long term gains
Lameness ranks among the most costly problems in global dairy production. Reports show that each affected cow can cost between USD 350 and 400 (approx US$350 to US$400) every year in direct care and lost milk. The condition also slows fertility and reduces the productive lifespan of cows.
Javier Buchard, Chief Innovation Officer at the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, said the project shows the value of linking modern data tools with existing farm records. “This collaborative research is a prime example of pairing existing information with novel insights and camera data to address high impact issues on dairy farms,” he said. “Genetic solutions are a powerful tool to drive cumulative and permanent improvements in herd health beyond environmental factors.”
Researchers expect farmers to have access to mobility based breeding tools within three to five years. They believe these tools will help raise daughters that stay sound for longer, produce more milk, and conceive faster.
The CattleEye system now covers more than 200000 cows, and the data continues to feed national indices that will guide future breeding. As the project expands, GEA says producers will gain a tighter link between daily farm practice, scientific insight, and long term breeding plans.
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