Data from Milk Robots: Opportunities for Dairy Cattle Improvement. Chairs:Carolina Markey (Vaxa) & Daniel Lefebvre (Lactanet)
- The session discusses how data from automated milking systems (AMS) can be used to improve dairy farming. As these systems collect extensive information on cow health, behavior, and productivity, they offer new opportunities to enhance genetic selection, optimize herd management, and enable data-driven decisions. The session highlights both the potential and challenges of turning this raw data into practical strategies that advance efficiency and sustainability in the dairy industry.
TS 2
Validation related to Use and Usability of Data Chair: Steven Sievert (National DHIA & DHIA Services)
- With the recent launch of ICAR validation testing of systems, this session will explore potential opportunities to improve data quality from farm-based systems that provide simultaneous automatic animal identification and automatic data recording. ICAR-validated systems deliver data that can be qualified for data use, improve the usability of data and help ICAR organisations define parameters for data usage. In addition to traditional parameters such as milk yield and composition, ICAR validation of systems is available for other parameters with resulting data having a potential use in management decisions, benchmarking, research, and/or genetic evaluations.
TS 3
Animal Identification National database. Chair: Ken Evers
- An often-overlooked aspect in the implementation of a national animal identification program is the databases required to not just house the data, but also to handle the data queries and to provide the necessary reporting. This session will analyse a variety of national identification programs with a specific focus on the databases utilised to provide the required functionality in their respective countries.
TS 4
Heat stress, health and welfare: genetics and management Chairs: Christa Egger-Danner (ZuchtData) & Marie Haskell (SRUC)
- The session will cover trait definitions and the genetics of heat stress, as well as its impact on health and welfare. Data-driven tools and applications for managing heat stress are also of interest.
TS 5
From Milk Analysis to Decision Support: Unlocking Insights for Sustainable dairy management. Chair: J. Bordeleau
- The ICAR Subcommittee on Milk Analysis invites contributions to its technical session “From Milk Analysis to Decision Support: Unlocking Insights for Sustainable Dairy Management.” This session will highlight the latest developments in transforming milk recording and analysis into actionable knowledge for producers, advisors, and industry stakeholders. We welcome abstracts on innovative tools, methodologies, and applications—from advanced analytics to digital platforms and AI—that enhance herd health, productivity, and environmental sustainability. Researchers, developers, and practitioners are encouraged to share results, case studies, and forward-looking perspectives that demonstrate how milk data can drive smarter, more sustainable decision-making across the dairy sector.
TS 6
Milk Recording in a Technology World: Value-Added DHI Services for Farms with Robots and Sensors. Chair Robert Fourdraine
- Technology has become an integral part of modern dairy farm management, with tools such as automatic milking systems and advanced sensor technologies generating vast amounts of data. In many cases, these innovations complement the insights provided by milk recording services; in others, they may be perceived as competing or even replacing traditional milk recording.This session will showcase initiatives from milk recording organizations worldwide that aim to facilitate, reinforce and demonstrate the unique added value of milk recording in technology-enabled farms. Join us to explore practical strategies, collaborative approaches, and success stories that ensure milk recording remains a cornerstone of data-driven dairy management.
TS 7
New developments in Sheep, Goat and Camelids within ICAR. Chair: Jean-Michel Astruc
- This session is related to small ruminants and camelids and aims at presenting new developments in this sector. Although the presentations should focus on novel phenotypes related to efficiency, resilience and adaptation to global warming, on genotyping activities in sheep and goats, and on future and in-progress guidelines, any inputs on breeding and performance recording activities in the sheep, goat and camelid sector are welcome.
TS 8
From Measurement to Genetics: Methane Emission and Feed Efficiency : Chairs Raffaella Finocchiaro (ANAFIBJ) & Rasmus Bak Stephansen (Arhus University )
- This session highlights recent progress in measuring methane emissions and feed intake, with a focus on generating high-quality phenotypes for management and genetic analysis. Presentations will explore advances in measurement technologies, sensor systems, and data harmonisation and standardisation. The session will also include short presentations from the three Feed&Gas Brian Wickham Fellows, who will briefly present the work they are conducting as part of their fellowships.”
TS 10
Adoption and Incentives to Breed for Methane Mitigation Chairs: Birgit Gedler-Grandl & Roel Veerkamp (WUR-ABG)
- This session explores the scientific, technical, and policy foundations needed to enable broad adoption of breeding for methane mitigation. Topics include validation of methane breeding values, evaluation of trait definitions, and selection index approaches across species. The session will also highlight policy levers, market mechanisms, and carbon calculators that can incentivize implementation. We welcome abstracts from researchers, industry partners, and policymakers working on genetic, technical, or incentive-based approaches to methane mitigation.
TS 11
Milk Recording Supporting Sustainability Initiatives
- Sustainability is at the heart of modern dairy and livestock production, shaping policies, consumer expectations, and farm practices worldwide. Performance recording organizations can play a critical role in supporting these efforts by providing reliable data and insights that enable informed decisions on animal health, productivity, and environmental impact. This session will highlight how recording organizations across different countries are contributing to national and industry sustainability programs. Discover innovative approaches, collaborative projects, and practical tools that help farmers meet sustainability goals while maintaining efficiency and profitability.
TS 12
Part 1:From Guidelines to the Barn: Implementing section 2 of ICAR’s Milk Recording Guidelines – Updates and Lessons from the Field Chair: Miel Hostens (Cornell University)
Part 2: Buffalo DHI recording Chairs: Miel Hostens (Cornell University) Angela Salzano (University of Naples Federico II)
- Part 1: Join this session to explore how the technical recommendations in Section 2 of ICAR’s Milk Recording Guidelines translate into real‑world practice on dairy farms. We will highlight recent updates, share insights from field implementation, and discuss what works—and what doesn’t—when moving from written standards to everyday barn management. Discover how accurate milk recording supports better decision‑making,improved cow welfare, and more resilient production systems. We also invite practitioners, researchers, and industry partners to submit abstracts showcasing implementation case studies, data quality improvements, and lessons learned from the field.”
- Part 2: Buffalo milk recording systems lag behind those developed for dairy cattle, despite the increasing relevance of buffalo production worldwide. This special session will provide an updated overview of current recording strategies, focusing on methodological gaps, data harmonization, and emerging traits related to milk quality, health and sustainability. The session will also aim to stimulate discussion on future directions for modern and standardised buffalo milk recording systems.”
TS 13
Exploring current and future needs for livesock science and farming community. Chair: Ana Granados (ICAR)
- “This session invites to submit contributions addressing current and emerging challenges in Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI). Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, data management, animal behaviour and health, and sustainability. Contributions should demonstrate how this work supports the development of innovative technologies, sustainable farming practices, and the effective transfer of innovations to farmers. Abstracts highlighting future perspectives—such as precision farming technologies and digital innovations that enhance sustainable, efficient, and competitive farm management and genetic improvement —are particularly encouraged.”
TS 14
Beef cattle – genetic evaluation and recording Chair: Kim Matthews
- The session will cover the latest developments in genetic evaluations and phenotype collection for genetic improvement.
