Aspects of Precision Livestock Farming to Advance the Cattle Industry

Abstract

Genetic engineering of the myostatin gene in dairy cattle represents a promising approach for sex-specific beef performance enhancement. A possible genetic strategy to enhance beef traits in male dairy calves uses the introduction of a myostatin knockout on the Y chromosome. Using CRISPR/Cas9, this sex-specific edit would produce muscular male offspring for beef, while preserving milk production traits in females. The approach combines advances in gene editing with selective trait targeting to improve herd efficiency. Benefits include increased economic value of male calves and sustainable breeding, though challenges such as calving risks must be addressed. Advances in sexed semen and embryo transfer in cattle, including the selection of offspring from the desired sex, can be one of the determining factors in increasing genetic progress and a farmer´s profitability in either beef or dairy cattle. The use of sex-sorted semen has been applied worldwide, combined with AI upon oestrus detection in heifers. Smart technologies are revolutionising cattle fertility management by improving reproductive efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing genetic progress. Wearable sensors, including activity monitors, calving detectors, automated body condition score analysers, and rumination trackers, enable real-time oestrus detection and early identification of fertility issues. Machine learning algorithms analyse behavioural and physiological data to predict optimal breeding times, increasing conception rates. Ultrasonography is used as a tool for the evaluation of carcass traits in vivo . As the demand for high-quality beef is increasing in developed societies, most of the quality markets index the price paid for the carcass to quality grades, with the intramuscular fat level being one of the most important traits. The use of ultrasonography as a tool for assessing carcass quality in live cattle is relatively low cost and non-invasive technique. It allows real-time evaluation of key parameters such as subcutaneous fat, intramuscular fat, and the area of essential muscles, such as the Longissimus dorsi , without the need for slaughter.