Parts of the herds of several pasture-based dairy farms mainly located in North-western Germany are inseminated with two strains of Holstein-Friesian genetics (New Zealand vs. others) for a comparison of traits reflecting health and welfare. Daughters of NZ bulls tend to be less dirty, healthier with regard to feet and legs, and less sensitive to losses in body condition. Further investigations will include cow and herd specific factors as a basis for comparisons including economically important production and functional traits of ongoing lactations and generations
