3.10 Aspects of sustainability and economics in breeding goals

Sustainable production systems need developments for the long-term that 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 are needed.

Improving milk yield in dairy cattle has a favorable 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 favorable 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.