Sustainable production systems need long-term and equitable solutions emphasize resource efficiency, profitability, productivity, product quality, environmental soundness, biodiversity, social viability and ethical aspects. Therefore long-term biologically, ecologically, and sociologically sound breeding goals is emphasized.
Improving milk yield in dairy cattle has a favourable impact on greenhouse gas emissions as fewer cows and followers are required to meet the same production level at a farm. Improving the average lifespan of dairy cows with one year has a large favourable impact on greenhouse gas emissions. The expected annual response in milk yield per cow increased when selection index weights were increased from current economic weights to environmental weights.