Recent advances of mid infrared spectroscopy applications to improve dairy industry profitability

In the last ten years, many studies have proposed mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) as a tool to predict innovative cow features and milk traits. For instance, MIRS has been used to predict pregnancy and body energy status, methane emission and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) as well as several milk processing traits. Despite many studies have demonstrated the utility of MIRS prediction models, only few of them are used by the dairy industry. This lack of field application is mainly related to: (1) scarce engagement of dairy industry, (2) difficulties to routinely implement these novel models in milk laboratory, and (3) restricted practical information on the potential of the novel prediction models. The routine application of novel prediction models is limited and can refer only to the prediction of milk fatty acids composition, coagulation and processing traits, acidity, and BHB. Milk coagulation and processing characteristics are related to the increase of milk added value and can be used as case study. In Italy, milk is mainly processed into cheese and in the last 5 years, several milk laboratories have implemented MIRS models to predict milk coagulation and acidity traits. One of the most recent examples refers to the biggest Italian dairy industry which collects milk from more than 600 dairy farms across 11 regions and processes milk in 15 dairy plants. More than 40,000 MIRS analyses of bulk milk samples per year are performed and results are used to (1) check processing ability of milk, (2) segregate milk according to its processing features (3), stimulate farmers to produce milk of better quality, and (4) implement new milk payment systems according to milk processing destination (fluid vs cheese). One of the main future challenge is represented by the on-field implementation of recent advances across dairy stakeholders. Several studies have been carried out on genetic aspects of novel phenotypes, but more effort should be placed into field applications (e.g. dairy industry engagement, milk laboratories guidelines, farmers training). Novel MIRS applications should lead to an enhancement of the dairy industry profitability and competitiveness.