The intersection of biology and advanced technologies defines the future of dairy reproductive management

Advances in reproductive management in dairy cattle have typically been made through the application of new technology. The past 25 yr have been a period of rapid improvement in dairy reproduction through the implementation of new technology that was unknown a short time ago. The next 25 yr will likely be similar with the refinement of existing technology and development of new technology to address the current challenges to dairy reproduction. Many of these new developments will address the need for greater on-farm automation necessitated by the consolidation of farms (more cows per farm) in the face of shortages in large animal veterinary and agricultural labor. Genomics will continue to play an important role in improving fertility on farm. There is the possibility that postpartum uterine health could benefit from advanced technologies that are emerging as effective treatments for tissue damage caused by disease. The reprogramming of somatic cells into gametes (in vitro gametogenesis) or embryos (blastoids) may entirely change the methods used to propagate elite genetics from female animals. Despite important advances in new technology, there are also important questions and researchable topics that need to be addressed so that the field of dairy reproduction can advance. These include automating or simplifying the current method of artificial insemination, addressing the short lifespan of sperm in the reproductive tract, and solving fertilization failure and embryonic loss following insemination. Embryo technologies await new discoveries to improve embryo yield from donor animals, increase the development of embryos in culture, reduce the damage caused by freezing embryos, and effectively evaluate embryo quality before transfer. The collective result of new knowledge and new technology will drive further improvements in genetics, fertility, and the efficiency of reproduction in high-producing dairy cattle.