Dairy Research Bulletin: Selected Articles from April 2025 - California Dairy Research Foundation

Environmental Management and Sustainability

From Cow to Climate-Tracing the Path of Dairy Sustainability: Unveiling the Impact on Sustainable Development Goals Through Bibliometric and Literature Analyses. Mwirigi D, Fekete-Farkas M, Borbély C. Animals (Basel). 2025 Mar 24;15(7):931.

Archeological evidence shows that dairy farming dates to the early Neolithic era in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Over time, it has evolved from domestication to intensive dairy farms with large, high-tech processing units. Dairy farming has contributed to economic growth, food production, employment, and processing industries. Nonetheless, it has been identified as a major contributor to climate change.
This study explores the literature on dairy farming and sustainable development goals (SDGs) to identify current scholarly developments since the formulation and adoption of the SDGs in 2015 and themes for future research.
This paper argues that sustainability shortfalls in dairy farming are primarily driven by human processes associated with commercialization and industrialization rather than the animals themselves, although biological emissions remain an inherent factor.
A review of the literature showed that dairy farming and its contribution to sustainability has gained more scientific interest since 2015. Moreover, livestock management, feed production and management, stakeholder management, logistics and supply chain management, and waste management are the sources of environmental adversities associated with dairy farming. Notably, these are human processes developed from the commercialization of dairy farming and involve multiple stakeholders across the supply chain.
While solutions are embedded within these processes, innovation emerges as a key driver of sustainability and a source of opportunities to strengthen sustainability in the dairy farming sector and achieve SDGs.
Sustainability strategies, such as sustainable intensification, multifunctional agriculture, and agro-ecology should be implemented to improve sustainability in the dairy sector.

Do establishment of multispecies swards affect nitrous oxide and methane emissions and promote soil health? Hargreaves PR, Rees R. Sci Total Environ. 2025 Apr 3;975:179091

Multispecies swards containing leguminous and herb species can potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially nitrous oxide (N₂O) from grassland forage. However, there is a need to maintain or enhance the dry matter (DM) yields for livestock milk production and body weight.
Multispecies swards should contribute to improved soil health and obtain nutrients and minerals from deeper in the soil profile than monocultures of grasses.
A one-year plot study was conducted using increasingly complex multispecies swards; perennial ryegrass and red clover (PR), perennial ryegrass, red clover and tonic plantain (PRP), perennial ryegrass, red clover, tonic plantain and birdsfoot trefoil (PRPB) and finally perennial ryegrass, red clover, tonic plantain, birdsfoot trefoil and burnet (PRPBB) compared with a fertilised monoculture of perennial ryegrass (Pfert).
The plots were cut twice for DM and quality. Additionally, the emissions of the greenhouse gases N₂O and methane were monitored.
DM yields were highest for PRP, PRPB and PRPBB. The PRP DM yield was greater compared to Pfert and PR. Mean emissions of N₂O were greatest for the Pfert (27.5 μg N₂O ha^-1day^-1), compared to PR, PRP, PRPB and PRPBB.
PRP gave greater metabolizable energy than the Pfert and PR. Aspects of soil health, mainly the physical structure and earthworms, were sustained by greater species mixtures.
The study suggested a PRP sward gave greater yield than perennial ryegrass with less fertiliser and lower N₂O emissions and demonstrated opportunities for climate change mitigation and adaptation in dairy systems.

Nitrous oxide emissions from production, storage and application of nitrogen enriched organic fertilizer. Nyvold M, Dörsch P. Sci Total Environ. 2025;977:179375.

Plasma-based nitrogen (N) enrichment of organic fertilizers can improve agricultural resource efficiency and reduce fertilizer-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The method uses an electrically generated air plasma to produce reactive N that is absorbed by the organic fertilizer as nitrate (NO₃^–) and nitrite (NO₂^–).
The enrichment process reduces the pH of the substrate, which reduces ammonia volatilization and inhibits microbial activity, which effectively prevents methane (CH₄) formation and denitrification during storage. However, the elevated content of reactive N increases the risk of chemical and microbial nitrous oxide (N₂O) formation.
In this work, researchers determined a combined N₂O emission factor for the production, storage and field application of nitrogen enriched organic fertilizer to better assess its overall impact on fertilizer-related GHG emission.
The N enriched organic fertilizer was shown to emit significantly more N₂O (1.8 % ± 0.48 % of total N) compared to the standard figure for untreated cow manure (1.0 % of total N), likely originating from chemical interactions of NO₂^–with organic compounds in the substrate and the soil. Despite the elevated N₂O emissions, the reduction in overall GHG was estimated to 72 ± 5.2 kgCO₂eq ton^-1 based on the Tier 2 methodology devised by the IPCC.
A clear link was established between the NO₂^–content and N₂O emissions and a lower NO₂^– concentration was shown to reduce overall N₂O emissions by 45 %. Controlling the NO₂^– content is therefore a viable strategy to mitigate the N₂O emissions associated with nitrogen enriched organic fertilizers.

The Mechanisms of Tetracycline in Shaping Antibiotic Resistance Gene Dynamics in Earthworm Casts During Vermicomposting. Li Z, Yang F, Yang M, Yan R, Zhang K. Toxics. 2025 Apr 3;13(4):273.

Earthworm gut digestion plays a crucial role in reducing antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during vermicomposting, offering significant potential for controlling ARG dissemination in livestock manure. However, the impact of residual tetracycline antibiotics on this process remains poorly understood.
Herein, this study systematically evaluated the impact of tetracycline of three concentrations (0, 10, and 100 mg/kg) on ARG dynamics and microbial community evolution during 35-day vermicomposting of cattle manure.
The results demonstrated that earthworm intestinal digestion effectively eliminated over 96% of initial ARG load in raw manure. Noticeably, tetracycline stress significantly enhanced total ARG abundance in the casts, with distinct response patterns observed among different ARG types.
Mechanistic analysis revealed that tetracycline potentially enhanced ARG persistence through two pathways: (1) promoting horizontal transfer via mobile genetic elements, and (2) altering gut microbial succession patterns that influence ARG host-microbe relationships.
These discoveries contribute to our comprehension of antibiotic interference in vermi-remediation processes and provide insights for optimizing ARG mitigation strategies in contaminated livestock manure.

Microplastic pollution: Critical analysis of global hotspots and their impact on health and ecosystems. Ashokkumar V, Chandramughi VP, Mohanty K, Gummadi SN. J Environ Manage. 2025;381:124995.

Plastics which are extensively utilized in various aspects of daily life, can contribute to air, land, and water pollution. This is primarily due to the widespread use of plastics in everyday items such as food and merchandise packaging, apparel, household items, clothing, medical equipment, toys, automobiles and building components.
Although these plastic objects have played a significant role in the plastic era, they have also caused adverse environmental consequences. These factors, such as excessive plastic manufacture, poor decomposition rates, unrestricted plastic usage, and negligent and inefficient recycling of plastics all of which have contributed to the buildup of plastics in the marine and land habitats.
This paper examines microplastic hotspots and their drastic effects on human health and the environment pointing out microplastic pollution as one of the biggest global issues. Besides, it analyses the key sources including industrial effluent discharge, littered plastic wastes, and deterioration of synthetic products together with pathways and routes of exposure.
The review also focuses on microplastic contamination in food systems such as meat, plant-based products, dairy, and seafood, detailing their entry into the food chain via soil, water, and air. On the other hand, this work also focuses on human health issues including cellular absorption, and bioaccumulation, which results in tissue oxidative stress, inflammation, hormonal imbalance and adverse long-term effects, including carcinogenicity and organ toxicity.
The ultimate effects of microplastic pollution on the condition of the soil, water, and fauna and flora of the ecosystem, highlighting on the need for the prevention measures, were also addressed.
This paper highlights that microplastic pollution requires interdisciplinary analyses, future studies, and high standards-compliant policies and regulations. This work raises the alarm for a collective international effort to protect the public health, food, and the earth.

Breeding for sustainability: Development of an index to reduce greenhouse gas in dairy cattle. Richardson C, Amer P, Malchiodi F, et al. Animal. 2025:101491.

Several genetic selection strategies can be incorporated into dairy cattle breeding programs to target a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and provide a mitigation strategy with only modest additional cost, or labor expense, to the dairy producer.
This can be achieved by targeting genetic progress in a specific trait (i.e. methane) or by building selection indexes that balance economic gain and environmental impact for more conventional traits, or both.
Various countries have initiated efforts to incorporate emission-related traits into their national selection indexes. The strategies for reducing emissions vary due to system-specific objectives and limitations, ranging from specific methane breeding values to broader sustainability indexes.
While methane breeding values may not be commercially available in most cases, Canada has taken the lead as the first country to release a methane breeding value, developed using mid-IR spectral data from milk samples and GreenFeed phenotyped Holstein cows, and develop a GHG index which includes a direct methane trait. The GHG index proposed for commercialization is expected to reduce emissions per cow per year by 168 kg CO₂e per SD of index, and is composed of Herd Life, Feed Efficiency, Methane Efficiency, and Body Maintenance Requirement traits.
The reduction in emissions is largely driven by a genetic gain in Methane Efficiency and Body Maintenance Requirements, with results indicating that omission of a direct methane trait from the index would lead to an unfavorable response in individual cow’s own genetic potential to reduce enteric methane output.
Other countries are also progressing on this front; Spain has developed a methane estimated breeding value (EBV) and the Netherlands and Denmark are set to publish methane EBV in 2025. Motivation for the use of GHG indexes is strengthening in high-income countries.
This motivation could be greatly accelerated if auditable, transparent and scientifically robust ways of recognizing emissions changes due to genetic selection were developed. Ideally, these methods would support both national policy setting and supply agreements with milk processors.

Host-specific microbiome-rumination interactions shape methane-yield phenotypes in dairy cattle. Castaneda A, Indugu N, Pitta D, et al. mSphere. 2025 Apr 25:e0009025.

Enteric methane emissions (EMEs) negatively impact both the environment and livestock efficiency. Given the proposed link between CH₄yield and the rumination time (RT) phenotype, researchers hypothesize that this connection is mediated by the gut microbiome.
This study investigated the RT-microbiome-EME connection using rumination-bolus, fecal, and rumen microbiomes as non-invasive proxies for identifying low-EME cows.
High-RT cows ruminated 94 minutes longer per day (20%) and exhibited 26% lower EME than low-RT cows, confirming a strong RT-CH₄-yield association. Microbial analysis revealed conserved methanogen diversity across the rumen, bolus, and fecal microbiomes, though functional differences were evident. High-RT cows had a greater abundance of Methanosphaera stadtmanae, suggesting an increased potential for methylotrophic methanogenesis, whereas low-RT cows exhibited higher MethanobrevibacterYE315 abundance, indicative of CO₂-utilizing methanogenesis.
Additionally, high-RT cows showed increased alternative hydrogen sinks, supported by upregulated genes encoding fumarate reductase, sulfate reductase, nitrate reductase, and ammonia-forming nitrite reductase, thereby reducing hydrogen availability for methanogenesis.
Metabolically, high-RT cows had higher propionate concentrations and were enriched with rapid-fermenting bacteria (Prevotella, Sharpea, Veillonellaceae, and Succinivibrionaceae), whereas low-RT cows exhibited higher acetate concentrations with elevated acetate-producing pathways, reflecting differences in energy partitioning mechanisms.
This study reveals that cows with longer rumination times (chewing cud for an extra 94 minutes daily) produce 26% less methane than cows with shorter rumination times. The gut microbiome plays a key role-low-methane cows host microbial communities that produce less methane while efficiently utilizing hydrogen for energy conservation in the rumen.
By analyzing rumination sensor data and/or in combination with microbial profiles from rumen or fecal samples, farmers can non-invasively identify and select cows that naturally emit less methane. This scalable, cost-effective strategy offers a practical solution for reducing livestock’s environmental footprint while enhancing efficiency and advancing climate-smart agriculture.

Assessing the impact of climatic conditions and feeding systems on the quality of raw bovine milk. Roufou S, Katsini L, Valdramidis VP, et al. J Anim Sci. 2025 Apr 21:skaf128.

The dairy industry faces significant challenges from climate change, requiring a deeper understanding of how climatic factors influence raw milk composition and quality.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of climatic variables, such as temperature, solar radiation, and carbon dioxide levels, on raw milk parameters, including somatic cell count, protein percentage, fat, and total bacterial count.
Temperature and solar radiation negatively correlated with fat, protein, and dry lean percentages, while average temperature positively correlated with somatic cell count. Total bacterial count showed a negative correlation with carbon dioxide levels.
Among the climatic variables, solar radiation and carbon dioxide were highlighted as the most influential factors through selectivity ratio analysis. Additionally, Total Mixed Ration feeding systems appeared to support better metabolic adaptation, underscoring the importance of balanced diets in mitigating climate-induced stress.
These findings emphasize the need for improved farm management practices to address climate change impacts on milk quality.

Animal Health and Food Safety

The One Health challenges and opportunities of the H5N1 outbreak in dairy cattle in the United States. Lombard J, Stenkamp-Strahm C, Russo K, et al. J Dairy Sci. 2025 Apr 28:S0022-0302(25)00281-4.

The outbreak of H5N1 in dairy cattle in United States revealed challenges in identification and management of a novel disease. The virus showed an exceptional ability to spread between farms and among cows within a farm. The impact of the virus on dairy cattle varied from nonclinical to severe clinical signs and death.
Many dairy producers did not report clinical signs in their cows or test for the virus. Cats and peridomestic birds on many affected dairies died from viral exposure. Dairy workers showed signs of conjunctivitis, which was confirmed to be due to H5N1. With the disease affecting multiple species and showing efficient cow-to-cow transmission, the situation only worsened.
There was a negative impact on the relationships among dairy producers, dairy workers, poultry producers, and veterinarians, in which professional and personal relationships were severed and some experienced loss of employment.
The regulatory response varied by geographic location, and in some states, animal health and human health authorities elevated producer fears of consequences of reporting.
Authorities did quickly confirm that pasteurization inactivated the virus in dairy products and showed that it was very rarely detected in beef from affected cows.
In this review, we will describe the relationships among the dairy industry and animal and human health and why the H5N1 outbreak requires a One Health perspective of all stakeholders in order to address it effectively.

Dairy cows develop protective immunity against reinfection with bovine H5N1 influenza virus. Facciuolo A, Aubrey L, Zhou Y, et al. Nat Microbiol. 2025 Apr 17. doi: 10.1038/s41564-025-01998-6.

Infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in dairy cows causes severe mastitis and milk production losses. Whether cows can develop protective immunity is unclear.
Here researchers infected three lactating cows with HPAI H5N1 genotype B3.13 via the hindquarters of the udder to mimic intra-mammary infection.
Inoculated cows displayed clinical responses consistent with affected dairy herds in the United States including virus shedding almost exclusively in inoculated hindquarters that peaked between Days 2-4 post inoculation and gradually declined by Day 21.
Histologically, peak virus shedding in milk corresponded with severe acute necrotic mastitis in the inoculated hindquarters but not in the uninoculated forequarters.
Two cows were reinfected with HPAI H5N1 virus at unaffected forequarters following resolution of infection. Secondary inoculation did not result in clinical manifestations or virus shedding in milk. Virus-neutralizing antibodies were detected at Day 14 post inoculation in milk with higher titres observed in the inoculated hindquarters relative to the forequarters.
The researchers also detected HPAI H5N1 viral RNA in air samples from animal rooms during routine husbandry activity. These data indicate that primary infection via intra-mammary inoculation can generate protective immunity against bovine HPAI H5N1 virus in dairy cows.

Dairy cattle herds mount a characteristic antibody response to highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses. Robinson-McCarthy LR, Simmons HC, McCarthy KR, et al. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Apr 1:2025.04.01.

An unprecedented outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, H5 clade 2.3.4.4b, was reported in United States dairy cattle during the spring of 2024. It has now spread to hundreds of herds across multiple states.
In humans, antibodies to the hemagglutinin (HA) protein confer the strongest protection against infection. Human herd immunity limits viral spread but also drives the emergence of antigenic variants that escape dominant antibody responses.
Researchers used store-bought milk to profile the collective H5N1 antibody response of dairy cattle herds.
The researchers detected HA binding antibodies in specific samples from states with recent/ongoing outbreaks. These antibodies present in milk neutralized replicating virus expressing dairy cattle HA and neuraminidase (NA).
Despite originating from independent vendors, dairies/plants, geographic regions, and time, antibodies present in these samples are remarkably similar in activity and HA binding specificity. The dominant antibody response was clade 2.3.4.4b HA specific, followed by cross-reactivity with other H5s.
Whether the uniformity of the response is a pathway to achieve herd immunity or an avenue for antigenic variants to rapidly escape remains to be seen.

Different sources of fat in starter and its effect on growth performance, blood parameters and immune system of calves. Paya H, Hosseinzadeh M, Lackner M, et al. Vet Anim Sci. 2025 Apr 11;28:100451.

Calf rearing from birth to weaning is a critical and sensitive period in dairy farming, as it determines the future of a herd.
The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of different fat sources on growth performance, immune response and rumen and blood parameters in suckling calves.
Forty female Holstein calves (average weight 40 kg, body score 3) were studied from birth to weaning (3 to 75 days).
A completely randomized design with 4 treatments (10 replicates each) was used: i) control (no fat source), ii) coconut oil (2 % saturated fat), iii) flaxseed oil (2 % linoleic acid), and iv) safflower oil (2 % linoleic acid).
Calf performance was evaluated weekly and feces were examined daily. Rumen parameters (volatile fatty acids and pH), blood parameters (glucose, protein, urea and cholesterol) and immune response (white and red blood cells and immunoglobulin G) were assessed at the end of the trial.
According to the results, the highest feed intake after 10 weeks was recorded in the safflower oil treatment, which differed significantly from the control treatment.
The highest weight gain of calves fed diets containing unsaturated fats was observed in the 8th, 9th and 10th weeks, which was significantly higher than in the control and treatment containing coconut oil. The height of experimental calves was affected by fats, except in the 1st and 2nd weeks.
The total volatile fatty acid content was significantly affected by the treatment at the end of the experimental period. Blood parameters (glucose, protein and urea), red blood cells and immunoglobulin G of the calves were significantly affected by the treatment.
The results of this study show that the use of different fat sources, especially those with unsaturated fatty acids containing linoleic and linolenic acid, in the starter diet of calves improved growth performance, immune response and rumen/blood parameters in female Holstein calves compared to the other groups.

Metagenomic analysis reveals microbial drivers of heat resistance in dairy cattle. Li M, Wang Z, Yang Z, et al. Anim Microbiome. 2025 Apr 9;7(1):35.

Heat stress poses a significant challenge to dairy cattle, leading to adverse physiological effects, reduced milk yield, impaired reproduction performance and economic losses.
This study investigates the role of the rumen microbiome in mediating heat resistance in dairy cows.
Using the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method, we classified 120 dairy cows into heat-resistant (HR) and heat-sensitive (HS) groups based on physiological and biochemical markers, including rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR), salivation index (SI) and serum levels of potassium ion (K⁺), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and cortisol.
Metagenomic sequencing of rumen fluid samples revealed distinct microbial compositions and functional profiles between the two groups.
HR cows exhibited a more cohesive and functionally stable microbiome, dominated by taxa such as Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Succiniclasticum, which are key players in fiber degradation and short-chain fatty acid production.
Functional analysis highlighted the enrichment of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) in HR cows, suggesting a metabolic adaptation that enhances oxidative stress management. In contrast, HS cows showed increased activity in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, pyruvate metabolism and other energy-intensive pathways, indicating a higher metabolic burden under heat stress.
These findings underscore the critical role of the rumen microbiome in modulating heat resistance and suggest potential microbiome-based strategies for improving dairy cattle resilience to climate change.

Grain Type Impacts Feed Intake, Milk Production and Body Temperature of Dairy Cows Exposed to an Acute Heat Event in Early Lactation. Williams SRO, Knight MI, Marett LC, et al. Animals (Basel). 2025 Apr 4;15(7):1045.

The frequency, duration and intensity of heat events in Australia are forecast to increase. Different grain types result in different heat loads on animals, so grain selection could reduce the impact of heat exposure.
Thirty-two multiparous Holstein cows at 86 days in milk were offered a basal forage diet plus one of four supplements: (1) BLY, rolled barley; (2) CAN, canola meal and rolled wheat; (3) CRN, disk-milled corn; or (4) WHT, rolled wheat.
Cows were exposed to a 2-day heat wave in controlled-climate chambers.
Overall, cows offered CAN had the lowest dry matter intake (DMI; 16.2 vs. 17.7 kg) but produced more energy-corrected milk (ECM; 34.9 vs. 29.6 kg) when compared with the other treatments.
The results were similar during heat exposure. Cows fed CRN and CAN had the greatest body temperature (38.9 °C), and cows fed BLY had the lowest (38.4 °C). Despite this, cows fed BLY had the greatest reduction in DMI from the pre-challenge to the heat-challenge periods (-2.8 vs. -0.4 kg DM/d).
There appears to be a small advantage to offering cows a concentrate with a greater protein concentration compared to one that has a greater concentration of fat or starch. The choice of grain to include in a dairy cow’s ration during summers with acute heat events may simply be an economic one.

Role of advanced cleaning and sanitation techniques in biofilm prevention on dairy equipment. Chowdhury MAH, Reem CSA, Ha SD, et al. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2025 May;24(3):e70176.

Biofilm formation on dairy equipment is a persistent challenge in the dairy industry, contributing to product contamination, equipment inefficiency, and economic losses.
Traditional methods such as manual cleaning and basic chemical sanitation are discussed as foundational approaches, followed by an in-depth investigation of cutting-edge technologies, including clean-in-place systems, high-pressure cleaning, foam cleaning, ultrasonic and electrochemical cleaning, dry ice blasting, robotics, nanotechnology-based agents, enzymatic cleaners, and oxidizing agents.
Enhanced sanitation techniques, such as dry steam, pulsed light, acidic and alkaline electrolyzed water, hydrogen peroxide vapor, microbubble technology, and biodegradable biocides, are highlighted for their potential to achieve superior sanitation while promoting sustainability.
The effectiveness, feasibility, and limitations of these methods are evaluated, emphasizing their role in maintaining dairy equipment hygiene and reducing biofilm-associated risks. Additionally, challenges, such as equipment compatibility, cost, and regulatory compliance, are addressed, along with insights into future directions and innovations, including automation, smart cleaning systems, and green cleaning solutions.
This review provides a comprehensive resource for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers aiming to tackle biofilm formation in dairy production systems and enhance food safety, operational efficiency, and sustainability.

Nutrition and Health

Associations between Saturated Fat from Single Dairy Foods and Body Composition in Young Canadian Children. Lo H., Prashad M., Buchholz A.C.; Guelph Family Health Study. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2025 Apr 16:1-7.

Adequate dairy consumption during early childhood (6–59 months) is crucial for maintaining healthy bone and skeletal growth. Consequently, children are encouraged to include dairy products as part of a balanced diet. However, whole-fat dairy products also contain high levels of saturated fat, cholesterol, and energy. Interestingly, emerging evidence has demonstrated neutral associations between whole-fat dairy consumption and body composition outcomes.
The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between dairy-derived saturated fat from fluid cow’s milk, cheese, and yogurt, and body composition [body mass index z-scores (BMIz), fat mass index (FMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)] in children aged 1.5-5 years.
This cross-sectional study used baseline data from 267 children (3.5 ± 1.2 years) from the Guelph Family Health Study. Dairy-derived saturated fat intake (g/1000 kcal) was assessed via one 24-hour dietary recall completed by parents using the web-based Automated Self-
Total dairy- and milk-derived saturated fat were not associated with any body composition outcomes. Cheese-derived saturated fat intake was positively, but marginally associated with BMIz, while yogurt-derived saturated fat was inversely associated with.
In conclusion, these cross-sectional findings may inform dietary guidelines to recognize the neutral or potentially beneficial effects of saturated fat from dairy products on body composition in young children. Longitudinal studies are warranted.

Association between cheese consumption but not other dairy products and lower obesity risk in adults. Morales G, Bugueño C, Durán-Agüero S, et al. PLoS One. 2025 Apr 29;20(4):e0320633.

Some studies have associated dairy consumption with a lower risk of obesity. However, these studies are concentrated in developed countries with high dairy consumption. In developing countries, the evidence is scarce.
This study aimed to evaluate the association between the consumption of different types of dairy products and obesity in Chilean adults.
A cross-sectional study, stratified by sex and age, was carried out using a validated online survey to assess the consumption of dairy products among adults living in Chile. Dairy product consumption was then classified into tertiles.
In total, 2008 participants were included in the analyses. Forty-seven percent, 39% and 14% belonged to the <35 years, 35-60 years, and ≥60-year groups, respectively. 55% were female, 86% had a low-medium socioeconomic level.
Obese participants had a lower total consumption of dairy products (17.1%) than normal-weight subjects (25.7%). Higher cheese intake was significantly associated with a lower obesity risk. Other types of dairy products and total consumption of dairy products were not significantly associated.
In conclusion, the results from this study indicate that habitual cheese consumption, but not other dairy products, was associated with a lower risk of obesity in this sample of Chilean adults.

Assessing the association between dairy consumption and the 10-year Framingham Risk Score in women. Salehi Z, Ghosn B, Namazi N, Azadbakht L.BMC Nutr. 2025 Apr 11;11(1):73.

Cardiovascular diseases are a significant health concern for women in Iran, with previous research suggesting a potential link between dairy consumption and these diseases.
This study aims to explore the relationship between the consumption of various dairy products and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) among Iranian women.
Various dairy products, including milk, yogurt, cheese, and drinkable yoghurt (dough), were considered, with a focus on dairy fat content (low-fat vs. high fat).
In this cross-sectional study, 371 women aged 18 to 50 years were recruited. After adjusting for confounding variables, participants in the highest tertile of low-fat dairy consumption had significantly lower FRS compared to those in the lowest tertile.
Higher yogurt consumption was associated with a significantly lower likelihood of having high triglycerides (TAG) and high LDL-C. Participants in the highest tertile of cheese consumption had significantly lower odds of high fasting blood sugar (FBS) and high TAG.
Additionally, consumption of drinkable yogurt (dough) and high-fat dairy products was inversely associated with LDL-C levels/
These findings suggest that both high-fat and low-fat dairy consumption are associated with beneficial cardiovascular effects. Low-fat dairy, is associated with lower FRS, indicating a reduced 10-year cardiovascular disease risk among women. Additionally, yogurt and cheese consumption were linked to improved lipid profiles, including lower triglycerides and LDL-C levels, which are key contributors to cardiovascular risk.
These findings highlight the potential cardioprotective role of dairy consumption, supporting the need for further research to better understand its long-term impact on cardiovascular health.

Full-fat versus non-fat yogurt consumption improves glucose homeostasis and metabolic hormone regulation in individuals with prediabetes: A randomized-controlled trial. Taormina VM, Eisenhardt S, Gilbert MP, Poynter ME, Kien CL, Kraft J. Nutr Res. 2025 Apr;136:39-52

Dietary guidance recommends consuming low- or non-fat dairy foods for metabolic health, yet observational research indicates full-fat yogurt intake may not detrimentally affect type 2 diabetes risk. Randomized-controlled trials are needed to further explore this relationship.
The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of substituting full-fat (3.25%) yogurt for non-fat yogurt on type 2 diabetes risk in individuals with prediabetes.
The researchers hypothesized beneficial effects on measures of glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic hormone response following short-term consumption of 3 full-fat yogurt servings daily.
Thirteen individuals completed the 8-week randomized, double-masked crossover controlled-feeding trial comprised 2, 3-week experimental diet periods in which participants consumed 3 daily servings of full-fat or non-fat yogurt; a 1-week control preceded each diet period.
Following each diet period, changes in whole-body glucose handling and metabolic hormone concentrations were measured using mixed meal and oral glucose tolerance tests. The primary outcome measure was the blood glucose concentration at the 120-minute time point during the oral glucose tolerance test.
Though differences in the primary outcome measure were not observed, the full-fat yogurt diet resulted in lower concentrations of blood fructosamine, a marker of average blood glucose concentrations over 2 to 3 weeks. Further, fasting glucagon-like peptide-1 and post-prandial glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide concentrations were greater following the full-fat yogurt diet.
These preliminary results indicate that short-term consumption of full-fat relative to non-fat yogurt beneficially affected aspects of glucose homeostasis and metabolic hormone regulation in individuals with prediabetes, warranting further randomized-controlled research.

Premeal Whey Protein Lowers Postprandial Blood Glucose in Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized, Crossover Clinical Trial. Smedegaard S, Kampmann U, Rittig N, et al. Diabetes Care. 2025 Apr 22:dc242831.

Consuming whey protein before a meal, also known as a premeal, can help lower postprandial blood glucose levels. Studies have shown that this approach can help people with type 2 diabetes and other conditions maintain better blood sugar control.
The purpose of this study was to examine how whey protein served as a premeal affects postprandial glucose excursions in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
A placebo-controlled, single-blinded, crossover, randomized trial including women with and without GDM (20-36 weeks’ gestation) was performed.
Twelve participants were studied in the laboratory and at home. In the laboratory, women were randomized to consume 20 g of whey or placebo 30 min before undergoing, 7-14 days later, a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Blood was sampled consecutively 3 hours following the OGTT. At home, participants wore continuous glucose monitors and, on subsequent days, randomly consumed 0, 10, 15, 20, and 30 g of whey 30 min before breakfast.
Intake of premeal whey resulted in lowered peak glucose by -1.0 mmol/L in women with GDM and -0.7 mmol/L in women without GDM compared with placebo. Insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, and glucagon-like peptide-1 levels increased rapidly after whey consumption in both groups.
At home, a premeal of 30 g of whey dose-dependently reduced incremental glucose peaks with a maximum of -2.0 mmol/L (95% CI -2.5 to -1.5) in women with GDM compared with placebo.
Premeal whey consumption acutely lowers postprandial blood glucose in women with GDM and those with NGT, with 15-30 g lowering the glucose iAUC of women with GDM. These findings emphasize the need for long-term studies to assess the impact of whey premeals in pregnancies affected by GDM.

Therapeutic Effects of Bovine Colostrum on Bone Healing, Rehabilitation, and Postoperative Complications: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded Comparative Trial. Gouhari F, Shariatpanahi ZV, Zandi R, et al. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2025 Apr 18.

Accelerated recovery from bone injuries is a paramount health-care goal with substantial impacts on physical status and overall well-being.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of colostrum supplementation on bone healing in patients with a traumatic extracapsular hip fracture (ECF).
Patients with an ECF undergoing internal fixation were randomly assigned to receive either bovine colostrum or whey protein. Bone healing was assessed using the Radiographic Union Score for Hip (RUSH). Physical rehabilitation was evaluated using the Harris hip score (HHS) and the Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA) within 3 months postoperatively.
A total of 116 patients with an ECF were included in the final analysis (colostrum group, n = 59; whey group, n = 57).
The colostrum group had a significantly greater increase in the RUSH score (β = 0.88; p = 0.001) and HHS (β = 1.2; p = 0.001) over time compared with the whey group. SMFA dysfunction and bother indices demonstrated significantly greater decreases over time in the colostrum group compared with the whey group.
The present study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that colostrum may accelerate bone healing and enhance short-term physical rehabilitation outcomes more effectively than whey protein.

Innovation, Social Science, and Dairy Alternatives

Former Food and Agro-Industrial By-Products in Dairy Cow Diets: Effects on Milk Quality and Cheese Production. Mammi LME, Ghiaccio F, Formigoni A, et al. Animals (Basel). 2025 Apr 11;15(8):1113.

The use of former foodstuff and by-products in cow diets could improve the environmental sustainability of livestock. However, knowledge about the effects of these feeds in ruminant diets on the quality of dairy products is lacking.
This study investigated the effects of integrating wheat distillers’ grain with solubles (WDGS) and a former foodstuff product (FFP) into the diet of dairy cows on milk and cheese quality.
The environmental impact of the two feeding systems has been evaluated by LCA.
A double crossover design was set up with 84 Holstein cows, alternating a control diet and a circular one. In the circular diet, traditional feeds were partially replaced with 4 kg/d WDGS and 3 kg/d FFP.
The results showed no effects on dry matter intake and milk yield, while fiber digestibility improved. A reduction in the milk fat content and a modification of the fatty acid profile of milk and cheese were observed. Conversely, cheese yield, composition, and sensory attributes were not affected.
The environmental impact of the diet was significantly reduced in terms of land occupation, net fresh water, and global warming potential.
These findings suggest that these feeds can be safely included in dairy cow diets. This approach could significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing the sustainability of the dairy system.

Biomaterials for eco-friendly packaging in dairy products: towards a cleaner, greener, and sustainable future. Chaudhary V, Kajla P, Pandiselvam R, et al. Crit Rev Biotechnol. 2025 Apr 23:1-28.

Milk and milk products are very susceptible to spoilage and therefore, suitable innovative packaging strategies are indispensable to enhance shelf life along with maintaining quality and safety.
Transformation in the utilization of packaging materials and technologies in the dairy sector is trending to match and meet the changing demands of consumers aware of this. Smart, intelligent, and active packagings are a few innovative packaging strategies that aim at protracting the shelf stability of milk and milk products while enhancing safety and sensory qualities.
Other packaging innovations also include the use of different packaging systems which are not only safe, compatible with food, and stable over a wide range of storage conditions but are more eco-friendly and thus posing the least possible burden on the environment.
In this review, the authors attempt to compile innovative green packaging technologies for different dairy products. The properties and applications of biomaterials used for smart, active, and intelligent packaging of milk and milk products, such as: pasteurized milk, evaporated milk, sweetened milk, condensed milk, milk powder, along with: ice cream, butter, coagulated dairy products, and heat-desiccated milk products are briefly discussed.
Environmental impact, safety regulations as well as challenges in the implementation of different innovative packaging technologies in the dairy sector are also covered. The use of eco-friendly packaging innovative approaches in terms of improved biodegradability and lesser environmental hazards aims to achieve environmental sustainability goals for a clean and green future.

Safeguarding digital livestock farming – a comprehensive cybersecurity roadmap for dairy and poultry industries. Neethirajan S. Front Big Data. 2025 Apr 16;8:1556157.

The rapid digital transformation of dairy and poultry farming through big data analytics and Internet of Things (IoT) innovations has significantly advanced precision management of feeding, animal health, and environmental conditions. However, this digitization has simultaneously escalated cybersecurity vulnerabilities, presenting serious threats to economic stability, animal welfare, and food safety.
This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the evolving cyber threat landscape confronting digital livestock farming, examining ransomware incidents, hacktivist interference, and state-sponsored cyber intrusions. It critically assesses how compromised digital systems disrupt critical farm operations, including milking routines, feed formulations, and climate control, profoundly impacting animal health, productivity, and consumer trust.
Responding to these challenges, researchers present a comprehensive cybersecurity roadmap that integrates established IT security practices with agriculture-specific requirements. The roadmap emphasizes advanced solutions, such as AI-driven anomaly detection, blockchain-based traceability, and integrated cybersecurity-biosecurity frameworks, tailored explicitly to safeguard livestock farming.
Additionally, the researchers highlight human-centric elements such as targeted workforce education, rural cybersecurity capacity building, and robust cross-sector collaboration as indispensable components of a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem. By synthesizing technical advancements, regulatory perspectives, and socio-economic insights, the paper proposes a proactive strategy to enhance data integrity, secure animal welfare, and reinforce food supply chains.
Ultimately, this paper underscores that effective cybersecurity is not merely a technical consideration but foundational to ensuring the sustainable, ethical, and trustworthy advancement of livestock agriculture in a data-driven world.

Animal welfare information frames US public perceptions of precision technology use on dairy farms. Kelly BL, Proudfoot KL, Da Silva TE, Costa JHC, Ventura BA.J Dairy Sci. 2025 Apr 17:S0022-0302(25)00256-5.

With increased interest in precision livestock farming (PLF) by dairy producers, a clearer understanding of public perceptions is needed to ensure that use of these technologies is socially sustainable.
This study sought to (1) characterize public perceptions toward precision dairy technologies (PDT), trust in farmers using PDT, and likelihood to purchase (LTP) dairy produced with PDT; and (2) describe how these perceptions may be influenced by information framing about the potential effects of PDT use; and (3) evaluate the influence of demographic characteristics of the participant sample.
In an online survey distributed to US residents (n = 2,365), participants randomly received 1 of 8 vignettes, each containing either positively or negatively valenced information about hypothetical PDT effects on human-animal relationship, data transparency, and animal welfare.
Perceptions toward PDT were assessed with Likert item questions before and after vignette exposure and through representational thematic text analysis of open-ended responses (n = 80 randomly selected) justifying the Likert responses.
Baseline perceptions toward PDT, trust, and LTP were generally positive, with more positive perceptions associated with higher incomes, rural backgrounds, and dairy consumers more knowledgeable about production; in contrast, baseline perceptions were more negative among participants with higher levels of concern toward animals.
Across the sample, participants experienced slight negative shifts in PDT perceptions after vignette exposure, with those who indicated a voting preference for the Democratic party (e.g., politically liberal) and who had more positive attitudes about animal protection more vulnerable to negative perception shifts.
Generally, information about data transparency did not shift perceptions of PDT in either direction. However, the valence of animal welfare information strongly predicted the direction of perception shifts, such that negative information was particularly influential in generating worsened perceptions of PDT, even if participants received positive information about other attributes.
Similarly, the perceived effect of PDT on cows was the most frequently raised theme in the qualitative responses, though participants also focused on ethical acceptability of the technology itself and how it might affect farmers.
The researchers suggest that for the dairy industry to maintain its social license to operate, it will benefit from more closely engaging with public concerns regarding potential effects of PDT on animal welfare and the relationship between farmers and animals.

Water use dynamics with conventional and automated milking systems on a dairy farm. VanderZaag A, Le Riche E, Burtt S, Baldé H, Wright T, Gordon R. J Dairy Sci. 2025 Apr 9:S0022-0302(25)00181-X.

An increasing proportion of dairy farms are adopting automated milking systems (AMS). At the same time, the dairy industry is actively exploring strategies to reduce the water footprint of milk production.
Automated milking systems have different cleaning procedures than traditional conventional milking systems (CMS), so the impact on water use is a potentially important consideration.
Previous studies of AMS approximately a decade ago showed ∼50% more direct water use compared with CMS; however, those studies were based on older technology and compared different farms. The current study measured whole farm water use partitioned to drinking (for consumption) and service water (for cleaning) on a dairy farm in Eastern Canada.
The dairy farm milked 110-120 cows using initially CMS and then changing to AMS. Results showed that the pattern of water use changed with the AMS: higher peak drinking water and lower peak service water use. Cows produced more milk and consumed more water with AMS.
Overall service water use per cow decreased from 30.9 ± 7.7 L d^-1with the CMS to 22.5 ± 4.0 L d^-1 with AMS, and per unit of milk decreased from 0.98 ± 0.25 L L^-1 with CMS to 0.68 ± 0.13 L L^-1 with the AMS. Daily service water use was also more consistent with AMS (CV = 17.9%) vs the CMS (CV = 24.8%).
With AMS the farm used significantly more water, produced significantly more milk, and achieved significantly better water use efficiency per L of milk.

Navigating the Protein Transition: Why Dairy and Its Matrix Matter Amid Rising Plant Protein Trends. Witard OC, Devrim-Lanpir A, McKinley MC, Givens DI. Nutr Res Rev. 2025 Apr 21:1-42.

The concept of the protein transition represents a shift from a diet rich in animal proteins to one richer in plant-based alternatives, largely in response to environmental sustainability concerns. However, a simple swap by replacing dairy protein with plant protein will lead to lower protein quality and a lower intake of key micronutrients that sit naturally within the dairy matrix.
Owing to antagonistic effects within the plant food matrix, micronutrients in plant sources exhibit lower bioavailability which is not reflected in food composition data or dietary guidelines. The dairy matrix effect includes moderation of blood lipid levels in which calcium plays a key role.
Protein recommendations often take a muscle-centric approach. Hence, strategies to increase the anabolic potential of plant proteins have focused on increasing total protein intake to counter the suboptimal amino acid composition relative to dairy protein or leucine fortification. However, emerging evidence indicates a role for nutrient interactions and non-nutrient components (milk exosomes, bioactive peptides) of the dairy matrix in modulating postprandial muscle protein synthesis rates.
To ensure food system transformation is environmentally sustainable and optimal from a nutrition perspective, consideration needs to be given to complementary benefits of different food matrices and the holistic evaluation of foods in the protein transition.
This narrative review critically examines the role of dairy in the protein transition, emphasizing the importance of the food matrix in nutrient bioavailability and muscle health. By considering both nutritional and sustainability perspectives, we provide a holistic evaluation of dairy’s contribution within evolving dietary patterns.

Drivers and Barriers for Plant-Based Cheese Alternatives Adoption: Insights from Diverse Consumer Clusters. Schimmel MD, Junge JY, Kidmose U, et al. Foods. 2025 Mar 27;14(7):1162

The transition to plant-based diets is advocated as a consumption measure to mitigate the environmental impacts of animal-based food production. Understanding the drivers and barriers to consumption can guide the formulation of tailored strategies for advancing plant-based alternatives in markets.
This study investigated the principal drivers and barriers influencing the adoption of plant-based cheese alternatives among Danish consumers (n= 550) through an online survey.
Participants were clustered based on the sensory (flavor and texture) cues, resulting in four consumer groups:
- (C1) consumers who prefer plant-based cheese alternatives to closely mimic both the flavor and texture of dairy cheese (n= 172)
- (C2) Consumers who prefer dairy-like flavor but are open to plant-based textures (n= 141)
- (C3) Consumers who prefer dairy-like texture but are open to novel flavor (n= 146)
- (C4) Consumers who seek variety and novelty in both flavor and texture (n= 91).
The results showed that consumer preferences for flavor and texture cues are important factors in shaping their motivations and barriers toward plant-based cheese. Specifically, product availability emerged as a significant barrier for those preferring dairy-like alternatives, while sensory perception and convenience were less influential for consumers who favor novelty.

Notably, the consumer clusters did not show significant statistical differences in dietary pattern types, such as omnivores, flexitarians, vegetarians, or vegans. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing effective strategies to promote plant-based cheese alternatives and cater to varying consumer needs.