There is evidence that several welfare aspects have a
genetic basis and that selective breeding for a better animal
welfare, be it in combination with selection for production
or not, could be successful. Broader selection goals have
been implemented in some dairy cattle breeding
programmes. Nordic dairy cattle breeding programmes
combine production, health, fertility and longevity traits
optimally combined in a ‘total merit index’, or TMI. More
generally, it is clear that many breeding companies are
working towards developing more balanced breeding goals
by incorporating functional traits