Integrating Omics Technologies for a Comprehensive Understanding of the Microbiome and Its Impact on Cattle Production

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This review article highlights the pivotal role of ruminant production in global agriculture and the challenges posed by population growth. The focus on refining ruminant production systems is in-creasing due to environmental concerns. Recent investigations emphasize the link between the rumen microbiome composition and economically advantageous cattle traits, driving the need for innovative strategies to enhance feed efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Omics technologies offer fresh insights into metabolic health changes in dairy cattle, enhancing nutri-tional management. The key role of the rumen microbiome in improving feeding efficiency by converting low-quality feed into energy substrates is underscored. This microbial community is vital in gut microbiome studies, contributing to plant fiber digestion and influencing ruminant production and health. Factors like compromised animal welfare can impact rumen microbiology and production rates. A comprehensive global approach targeting cattle and their rumen microbi-ota is essential for feed efficiency and fermentation processes. The review focuses on the factors influencing rumen microbiome establishment after perturbations and host-microbiome interac-tions, highlighting practical applications in animal health and production. Scrutinizing the micro-biome’s effects on cattle production fosters more sustainable food systems, reducing environmental impact. In essence, the review emphasizes the significance of the rumen microbiome in enhancing ruminant performance and explores the complex interplay between microbes, hosts, and their en-vironment to achieve sustainable and efficient livestock production. ABSTRACT: Ruminant production holds a pivotal position within the global animal production and agricultural sectors. As population growth escalates, posing environmental challenges, a heightened emphasis is directed toward refining ruminant production systems. Recent investigations underscore the connection between the composition and functionality of the rumen microbiome and economically advantageous traits in cattle. Consequently, the development of innovative strategies to enhance cattle feed efficiency, while curbing environmental and financial burdens, becomes imperative. The advent of omics technologies has yielded fresh insights into metabolic health fluctuations in dairy cattle, consequently enhancing nutritional management practices. The pivotal role of the rumen microbiome in augmenting feeding efficiency by transforming low-quality feedstuffs into energy substrates for the host is underscored. This microbial community assumes focal importance within gut microbiome studies, contributing indispensably to plant fiber digestion, as well as influencing production and health variability in ruminants. Instances of compromised animal welfare can substantially modulate the microbiological composition of the rumen, thereby influencing production rates. A comprehensive global approach that targets both cattle and their rumen microbiota is paramount for enhancing feed efficiency and optimizing rumen fermentation processes. This review article underscores the factors that contribute to the establishment or restoration of the rumen microbiome post perturbations and the intricacies of host-microbiome interactions. We accentuate the elements responsible for responsible host-microbiome interactions and practical applications in the domains of animal health and production. Moreover, meticulous scrutiny of the microbiome and its consequential effects on cattle production systems greatly contributes to forging more sustainable and resilient food production systems, thereby mitigating the adverse environmental impact.