DairyTalk 384: Breeding Goals Under Pressure: Why Traditional Indexes Miss Market Signals - by Helmut Demmelhuber

DairyTalk by Helmut Demmelhuber · Apr 19, 2026 · 20m

This episode builds on a technical analysis of the growing mismatch between genetic breeding objectives and current milk market signals. The article highlights how pricing structures have shifted in favor of protein, exposing farms focused on butterfat to significant revenue losses. It examines the lag in widely used breeding indexes, which often fail to capture rapid market changes in time. Given the biological delay inherent in genetic progress, today’s breeding decisions have long-term economic consequences. The discussion emphasizes the need to realign selection strategies and on-farm…