Over the past ten years, there has been a world wide movement towards selection for fitness or health traits.  Producers are looking to breed productive, trouble-free cows that remain in the herd. To acheive this goal, longevity values are important measures to take into account. This article looks at how longevity is calculated and how the trait is used in selection programs around the world. The article was published in the June 2008 edition of Holstein International.