ICAR-NDRI, Cornell University hold symposium on dairy sustainability

In a major step towards promoting global research excellence and environmental sustainability, the ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute (ICAR–NDRI), under an approved collaborative project with Cornell University, USA, organised an international symposium titled “Enhancing Dairy Productivity in India: Nutritional Challenges and Way Forward”. The event served as a platform for scientific exchange and aimed to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions in the fields of dairy nutrition, livestock development and climate-smart environmental sustainability.

Addressing the gathering, ICAR–NDRI Director Dr Dheer Singh highlighted the institute’s landmark contributions to dairy research and reaffirmed its commitment to international partnerships aimed at addressing emerging challenges in livestock productivity and environmental sustainability. He emphasised that faculty members from ICAR–NDRI, Karnal, and Cornell University should jointly work on alternative feed resources and reducing feed costs to improve milk production efficiency. Joint Director (Research) Dr Rajan Sharma and Joint Director (Academic) Dr Ashish Kumar Singh stressed the importance of collaborative scientific efforts and interdisciplinary research in strengthening the dairy sector and encouraging innovation to tackle emerging challenges. The symposium featured eminent experts from Cornell University, who shared insights on animal nutrition, dairy science and sustainability.

Prof JW McFadden delivered a lecture on strategies to improve dairy cow productivity while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Prof Heather Huson spoke on the application of genomic tools for genetic improvement in dairy cattle, while Prof Jasmine Dillon highlighted the role of livestock in sustainable food systems through life-cycle assessment approaches. Dr Hailey Galyon presented recent advances in the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS), with a focus on forage quality, ruminal fibre degradation and enteric methane mitigation. Dr Shambhvi and Dr Ashish Kumar from Cornell University outlined the targets of the collaborative project.

A major highlight of the event was the progress update on the development of a collaborative Feed Library, an initiative aimed at standardising and advancing nutritional data sharing. Interactive discussions and feedback sessions enabled more than 100 participants, including students, heads of departments and faculty members, to engage directly with the visiting experts. The discussions provided an opportunity to exchange ideas on emerging challenges and opportunities in dairy nutrition and environmental sustainability. Dr Sachin Kumar, Principal Investigator of the ICAR–NDRI–Cornell collaborative project, expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, speakers, organisers and participants for contributing to the success of the event.

The project is also being supported by Co-Principal Investigators Dr Nitin Tyagi and Dr Goutam Mondal, whose contributions have helped strengthen collaborative research initiatives.