DairyTalk 584: Top cows mislead: why the herd - not individuals - drives profit

DairyTalk by Helmut Demmelhuber · Aug 27, 2026 · 20m

This podcast episode draws on a technical article by Helmut Demmelhuber, examining where dairy farms truly generate profit. It emphasizes that financial success is driven by a reliable, functional herd rather than a few high-performing individuals. The analysis reveals how hidden costs - such as fertility problems, treatments, and excessive labor - gradually erode margins. It also underlines that technology alone cannot fix structural weaknesses within the operation. Profitability ultimately depends on robust cows, efficient processes, and the disciplined use of labor as a key resource.