First Genomic Test for Jersey Cattle Launched by Zoetis

Created exclusively for the Jersey breed, Clarifide Plus from Zoetis includes genomic predictions that provide direct indication of the genetic risk factors for seven of the most common and costly adult cow diseases – including milk fever – and three calf wellness traits.

“Clarifide Plus for Jerseys gives producers the opportunity to build healthier and more productive herds. It allows producers to select cattle for traits like mastitis, lameness, milk fever, and scours, which are all very important to the Jersey breed,” says David Erf, geneticist, Zoetis Dairy Technical Services. “The ability to test Jerseys early in life can inform selection decisions and make a big difference in expected lifetime profit potential for dairy operations.”

Tackling 10 health challenges in cows and calves

To help producers reduce the risk of costly health events, this test provides reliable assessments for seven challenges in cows and three in calves. 

Cow Wellness Traits

Calf Wellness Traits

Mastitis

Calf livability

Lameness

Respiratory disease

Metritis

Scours

Retained placenta

Displaced abomasum

Ketosis

Milk fever

In order to provide the most comprehensive animal ranking selections available commercially Zoetis developed the Wellness Trait Index, Calf Wellness Index, and Dairy Wellness Profit Index. These indexes are critical components of all genetic selection strategies. They provide a path for producers to select for genetic improvement across a host of traits.

• Dairy Wellness Profit Index. This proprietary, multitrait selection index includes production, reproduction, functional type, longevity, calving, and Zoetis cow and calf wellness traits and polled* results to make more profitable animal rankings and decisions.
• Wellness Trait Index. This index estimates differences in expected lifetime profit associated with the risk of diseases in cows (mastitis, lameness, metritis, retained placenta, displaced abomasum, ketosis, and milk fever) in addition to adding the economic value for the polled gene.
• Calf Wellness Index. This index estimates the difference in expected lifetime profit associated with the risk of calfhood diseases and early death losses.

Combined, this information gives producers the most comprehensive trait prediction package. It enables the use of genetic selection to work in tandem with good management practices to help reach herd health and profitability goals.

For more information, contact your Zoetis representative or visit ClarifidePlus.com.