In a world increasingly attuned to the urgency of climate action, Dr. Filippo Miglior stands out for his contributions to sustainable agriculture. A trailblazer in dairy genomics, Dr. Miglior has been honored with Genome Canada’s Industry Collaboration Award for his groundbreaking work in dairy cattle genetics. Through the application of innovative genomic tools and building strategic partnerships, Dr. Miglior’s work has reduced greenhouse gas emissions and also set a global benchmark for environmentally conscious agriculture. His leadership exemplifies the power of collaboration, bridging science and industry to create a lasting impact.
Dr. Miglior’s career is a testament to the potential of genomics to address pressing global challenges. As Senior Adviser, Genetic Strategic Initiatives at Lactanet, a farmer-run organization pivotal to Canada’s dairy industry, Dr. Miglior has led efforts to integrate cutting-edge science into practical solutions. This includes the development of the Methane Efficiency Index—the world’s first national genetic evaluation system for methane emissions in dairy cattle. This pioneering tool empowers producers to select animals that emit less methane without sacrificing productivity, aligning the industry with ambitious climate goals like Canada’s Dairy Net Zero by 2050.
Dr. Miglior’s work extends beyond methane reduction. Through large projects like the Efficient Dairy Genome Project (EDGP), the Resilient Dairy Genome Project (RDGP), and the Net-zero Dairy Genome Project (in continuous collaboration with Drs Christine Baes and Flavio Schenkel (University of Guelph) and Dr. Paul Stothard (University of Alberta), Dr. Miglior has advanced feed efficiency and herd resilience, ensuring dairy farming remains both sustainable and profitable. Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Miglior shares,
“I have a passion for applied research, and through collaboration, we have secured the Canadian leadership in dairy cattle genetics. This has been possible through the hard work of high-performance teams that I had the privilege to lead throughout my career. The scale of industry uptake and tangible benefits to the sector has been tremendously rewarding.”
What sets Dr. Miglior apart is his dedication in forging impactful partnerships. Since 2014, he has united a diverse network of collaborators—including Lactanet, Semex, University of Guelph, Alberta Laval and BC, AbacusBio (Canada), Qualitas (Switzerland), VIT (Germany), Aarhus University (Denmark), UC Davis (USA), University of New England (Australia), ANAFIBJ (Italy) and Teagasc (Ireland), alongside producer organizations such as Dairy Farmers of Canada and Alberta Milk. These partnerships have bridged research and application, translating genomic breakthroughs into tools that farmers can use. His efforts have positioned Canada as a leader in sustainable dairy practices, earning accolades like the International Dairy Federation’s Innovation in Climate Action Award alongside Semex.
Additionally, Dr. Miglior’s contribution in modernizing Lactanet’s LPI Index enhances herd management by focusing on fertility, health, welfare and environmentally efficiency traits. These innovations have made sustainability economically viable, proving that environmental responsibility and productivity can coexist. His achievements have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the ASAS Rockefeller Prentice Award, the ADSA Lush Award, and University of Guelph Innovation Award celebrating his contributions to animal breeding and genetics.
At the centre of Dr. Miglior’s success is his commitment to knowledge sharing. As an adjunct professor at the University of Guelph, he has mentored countless graduate students and early-career researchers, many of whom are now emerging leaders in applied livestock genomics. His collaborations span academia and industry, ensuring that research reaches the hands of those who need it most—dairy producers. By engaging stakeholders like Alberta Milk, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Les Producteurs de Lait du Quebec and Dairy Farmers of Canada, he fosters a continuous dialogue that keeps Canada at the forefront of genomic innovation.
Dr. Filippo Miglior’s receipt of Genome Canada’s Industry Collaboration Award is a fitting celebration of a career defined by vision, collaboration, and action. His innovations are reducing the dairy industry’s environmental footprint, strengthening its economic resilience, and setting a global standard for sustainable agriculture.
To learn more about Leveraging Genomics to Achieve Dairy Net Zero, follow this link.
To learn more about Genome Alberta’s funded initiatives, please see our Project Portfolio.
