2025/10/31 by Luiz F. Brito, A. P. Schinckel, Hinayah Rojas de Oliveira · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock #Reproductive Physiology in Livestock #Milk Quality and Mastitis in Dairy Cows
paper · pdf · doi:10.3168/jdsc.2025-0872
openalex created_date 2025/10/31 · openalex publication_date 2025/10/31 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
The dairy industry has experienced unprecedented genetic progress, more than doubling milk yield over recent decades, but this has often resulted in reduced fertility, longevity, and robustness. This review addresses the question "Who will be the dairy cows of the future?" by highlighting the integration of genomics, phenomics, and advanced breeding strategies. From our perspective, future cows are expected to be healthier, more resilient, and longer-lived, with improved fertility, feed efficiency, and reduced methane emissions. Precision technologies, wearable sensors, and automated systems are providing novel phenotypes and driving selection for adaptability, welfare, and efficiency. Genomic selection, reproductive and other biological technologies, and beef-on-dairy crossbreeding are reshaping dairy breeding programs, while collaborations are critical for advancing multiple-trait evaluations and safeguarding genetic diversity. Despite Holstein breed dominance, maintaining across- and within-breed variation is essential for long-term sustainability. Ultimately, as a consequence of the wide adoption of precision technologies, more complex breeding goals, and effective breeding strategies, the dairy cow of the future will balance productive efficiency with resilience, welfare, and environmental efficiency, ensuring global sustainability of dairy production.