How does reproduction account for dairy farm sustainability?

Abstract Sustainability - the new hype of the 21st century has brought discomfort for the government and society. Sustainable agriculture is essential to face our most concerning challenges: climate change, food security, and the environmental footprint, all of which add to consumers' opinions and choices. Improvements in reproductive indexes can enhance animal production and efficiency, guaranteeing profit and sustainability. Estrus detection, artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer (ET), estrus synchronization (ES), and multiple ovulations are some strategies used to improve animal reproduction. This review highlights how reproductive strategies and genetic selection can contribute to sustainable ruminant production. Improved reproductive indices can reduce the number of nonproductive cows in the herd, reducing methane emissions and land use for production while preserving natural resources.

[1]  D. Boichard,et al.  Comparison of methane production, intensity, and yield throughout lactation in Holstein cows. , 2023, Journal of dairy science.

[2]  F. Schenkel,et al.  Genetic Analysis of Methane Emission Traits in Holstein Dairy Cattle , 2023, Animals : an open access journal from MDPI.

[3]  J. Bujok,et al.  Strategies Used to Reduce Methane Emissions from Ruminants: Controversies and Issues , 2023, Agriculture.

[4]  N. Ghavi Hossein-Zadeh Estimates of the genetic contribution to methane emission in dairy cows: a meta-analysis , 2022, Scientific Reports.

[5]  Daniel N. Miller,et al.  Enteric Methane Emissions and Animal Performance in Dairy and Beef Cattle Production: Strategies, Opportunities, and Impact of Reducing Emissions , 2022, Animals : an open access journal from MDPI.

[6]  J. Pryce,et al.  Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through genetic selection in the Australian dairy industry. , 2022, Journal of dairy science.

[7]  M. Sakatani [The role of reproductive biology in SDGs] Global warming and cattle reproduction: Will increase in cattle numbers progress to global warming? , 2022, Journal of reproduction and development.

[8]  M. Pszczoła,et al.  Genetic Variability of Methane Production and Concentration Measured in the Breath of Polish Holstein-Friesian Cattle , 2021, Animals : an open access journal from MDPI.

[9]  I. Jaja,et al.  Culling and mortality of dairy cows: why it happens and how it can be mitigated , 2021, F1000Research.

[10]  R. Veerkamp,et al.  Selective breeding as a mitigation tool for methane emissions from dairy cattle. , 2021, Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience.

[11]  B. Stefańska,et al.  The Effect of Feeding Management and Culling of Cows on the Lactation Curves and Milk Production of Primiparous Dairy Cows , 2021, Animals : an open access journal from MDPI.

[12]  F. Miziara,et al.  Technification in Dairy Farms May Reconcile Habitat Conservation in a Brazilian Savanna Region , 2021, Sustainability.

[13]  L. Shalloo,et al.  Greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen efficiency of dairy cows of divergent economic breeding index under seasonal pasture-based management. , 2021, Journal of dairy science.

[14]  I. Aguilar,et al.  Selection for Test-Day Milk Yield and Thermotolerance in Brazilian Holstein Cattle , 2021, Animals : an open access journal from MDPI.

[15]  B. Kemp,et al.  Fertility and milk production on commercial dairy farms with customized lactation lengths. , 2020, Journal of dairy science.

[16]  D. Hufana-Duran,et al.  Animal reproduction strategies for sustainable livestock production in the tropics , 2020, IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.

[17]  R. M. Ferreira,et al.  Use of embryo transfer to alleviate infertility caused by heat stress. , 2020, Theriogenology.

[18]  O. González-Recio,et al.  Mitigation of greenhouse gases in dairy cattle via genetic selection: 1. Genetic parameters of direct methane using noninvasive methods and proxies of methane. , 2020, Journal of dairy science.

[19]  O. González-Recio,et al.  Mitigation of greenhouse gases in dairy cattle via genetic selection: 2. Incorporating methane emissions into the breeding goal. , 2020, Journal of dairy science.

[20]  G. Rosa,et al.  Associations of reproductive indices with fertility outcomes, milk yield, and survival in Holstein cows. , 2020, Journal of Dairy Science.

[21]  M. Marcondes,et al.  Review: Overview of factors affecting productive lifespan of dairy cows. , 2020, Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience.

[22]  G. M. Jenkins,et al.  Prediction of effects of dairy selection indexes on methane emissions. , 2019, Journal of dairy science.

[23]  L. B. Larsen,et al.  Review: extended lactation in dairy cattle. , 2019, Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience.

[24]  E. Wall,et al.  Short communication: Heritability of methane production and genetic correlations with milk yield and body weight in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. , 2019, Journal of dairy science.

[25]  C. E. van Middelaar,et al.  Production, partial cash flows and greenhouse gas emissions of simulated dairy herds with extended lactations. , 2019, Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience.

[26]  W. J. Silvia,et al.  Automated estrous detection using multiple commercial precision dairy monitoring technologies in synchronized dairy cows. , 2019, Journal of dairy science.

[27]  T. Kristensen,et al.  Extended lactations in dairy production: Economic, productivity and climatic impact at herd, farm and sector level , 2019, Livestock Science.

[28]  W. Willett,et al.  Food in the Anthropocene: the EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems , 2019, The Lancet.

[29]  D. Robinson,et al.  Three pillars of sustainability: in search of conceptual origins , 2018, Sustainability Science.

[30]  A. Zangirolamo,et al.  Strategies for increasing fertility in high productivity dairy herds , 2018, Animal Reproduction.

[31]  G. Oikonomou,et al.  Associations between age at first calving and subsequent lactation performance in UK Holstein and Holstein-Friesian dairy cows , 2018, PloS one.

[32]  H. Soyeurt,et al.  Consequences of genetic selection for environmental impact traits on economically important traits in dairy cows , 2017 .

[33]  B. Hayes,et al.  Reducing the carbon footprint of Australian milk production by mitigation of enteric methane emissions , 2016 .

[34]  Martin J. Green,et al.  Use of Stochastic Simulation to Evaluate the Reduction in Methane Emissions and Improvement in Reproductive Efficiency from Routine Hormonal Interventions in Dairy Herds , 2015, PloS one.

[35]  R. Kingwell,et al.  Does producing more product over a lifetime reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase profitability in dairy and wool enterprises , 2015 .

[36]  T. Kristensen,et al.  Extended lactations may improve cow health, productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from organic dairy production , 2014, Organic Agriculture.

[37]  W P Weiss,et al.  Invited review: Enteric methane in dairy cattle production: quantifying the opportunities and impact of reducing emissions. , 2014, Journal of dairy science.

[38]  P. Gerber,et al.  Special topics--Mitigation of methane and nitrous oxide emissions from animal operations: III. A review of animal management mitigation options. , 2013, Journal of animal science.

[39]  C. Gifford,et al.  Role of reproductive biotechnologies in enhancing food security and sustainability , 2013 .

[40]  E. Wall,et al.  The effect of lactation length on greenhouse gas emissions from the national dairy herd. , 2012, Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience.

[41]  M P L Calus,et al.  Genetic parameters for predicted methane production and potential for reducing enteric emissions through genomic selection. , 2011, Journal of dairy science.

[42]  F. van Eerdenburg,et al.  When is a cow in estrus? Clinical and practical aspects. , 2010, Theriogenology.

[43]  John F Mee,et al.  Estrus detection and estrus characteristics in housed and pastured Holstein-Friesian cows. , 2010, Theriogenology.

[44]  Ulrich Brehme,et al.  ALT pedometer-New sensor-aided measurement system for improvement in oestrus detection , 2008 .

[45]  M. Wiltbank,et al.  Changes in reproductive physiology of lactating dairy cows due to elevated steroid metabolism. , 2006, Theriogenology.

[46]  P. Garnsworthy The environmental impact of fertility in dairy cows: a modelling approach to predict methane and ammonia emissions , 2004 .

[47]  R. Firk,et al.  Automation of oestrus detection in dairy cows: a review , 2002 .

[48]  K. F. Wiersum,et al.  200 years of sustainability in forestry: Lessons from history , 1995 .

[49]  P. L. Senger,et al.  The estrus detection problem: new concepts, technologies, and possibilities. , 1994, Journal of dairy science.

[50]  J. E. Legates,et al.  Production Losses in Dairy Cattle Due to Days Open , 1968 .

[51]  L. Rowson Methods of inducing multiple ovulation in cattle. , 1951, The Journal of endocrinology.

[52]  P. Garnsworthy,et al.  Genetic selection aimed to reduce methane emissions and its effect on milk components , 2021 .

[53]  L. Hockstad,et al.  Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks , 2018 .

[54]  E. Kebreab,et al.  Effect of calving interval and parity on milk yield per feeding day in Danish commercial dairy herds. , 2016, Journal of dairy science.

[55]  A. Gašpar,et al.  Non-invasive clinical diagnosis of estrus for AI synchronization using vaginal cytology in three bubaline breeds in the Philippines , 2015 .

[56]  Pete Smith,et al.  Ruminants, climate change and climate policy , 2014 .

[57]  A. Rotz,et al.  Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in livestock production - A review of technical options for non-CO2 emissions , 2013 .

[58]  A De Vries,et al.  Economic value of pregnancy in dairy cattle. , 2006, Journal of dairy science.

[59]  M. Lohuis POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF BOVINE EMBRYO-MANIPULATION TECHNOLOGIES TO GENETIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS , 1995 .