Breeding for Disease Resistance in Livestock

Breeding for disease resistance is an important component of sustainable livestock production, aiming to reduce the incidence of infectious and production-limiting diseases through genetic improvement. Disease resistance is influenced by heritable traits, host immune responses, genetic markers, and interactions between animals and their environment. Advances in quantitative genetics, genomic selection, marker-assisted selection, and whole-genome sequencing have accelerated the identification of animals with superior disease resistance. Incorporating health-related traits into breeding programs can improve animal welfare, reduce dependence on antimicrobials, enhance productivity, and support long-term herd resilience while maintaining desirable production characteristics.