The genetic correlations between different claw disorders in Finnish Ayrshire cows

Abstract

This paper describes the genetic correlations between sole haemorrhage, chronic laminitis, white-line separation, sole ulcer, heel horn erosion and corkscrew claw in Finnish Ayrshire cows recorded in the field by claw trimmers between 2003 and 2010. The statistical analyses were done using an animal model and restricted maximum likelihood method by applying the statistical package ASREML. The genetic correlations between claw disorders varied between -0.24 and 0.77. Most of the genetic correlations were positive and from moderate to high. The moderate to high positive genetic correlations between claw disorders indicate that disorders are genetically connected to each other and cows which are genetically susceptible to some disorder are more likely to be affected by other disorder as well.