Development and strategic basic research towards an innovative biomarker for productive longevity in high-yielding dairy cattle. Ghent University
The steep increase in individual milk yield of modern dairy cows has unfortunately been accompanied by a decrease in cows’ lifespan. Nonetheless, greater productive longevity can improve the profitability of a dairy herd by lower culling rates and a lower need for replacement heifers, a higher overall milk production, an improved public opinion about dairy cow welfare and a decrease of the environmental footprint of dairy herds. The major gap ...