Source: GENETIC LITERACY PROJECT, 6/12/18


Physical dehorning of dairy cattle is a standard practice to protect both human dairy workers and other animals from injury. However, it is not only costly for producers, but also painful and stressful for the animals. As a result, dehorning is currently facing increased public scrutiny as an animal welfare issue. Despite these factors, 94 percent of U.S. dairy cattle producers report routine dehorning. Gene editing has the potential to resolve these economic concerns by producing high genetic merit polled bulls, thereby eliminating the need for dehorning.

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