DairyTalk 383: Profitability over prestige: why no single dairy breed outperforms all others - by Helmut Demmelhuber

DairyTalk by Helmut Demmelhuber · Apr 17, 2026 · 20m

This podcast episode draws on a technical article comparing the four key dairy breeds: Holstein, Simmental, Jersey, and Brown Swiss. It examines differing breeding objectives, ranging from maximum milk yield to component quality, longevity, and feed efficiency, and highlights the resulting trade-offs in herd management. The analysis makes clear that economic performance depends heavily on milk pricing systems, feed resources, and production conditions. Using practical metrics and decision-support tools, the article illustrates how breed performance varies across farm contexts. The podcast…