DairyTalk 598: High indices, poor decisions: why numbers alone don’t deliver results - by Helmut Demmelhuber

DairyTalk by Helmut Demmelhuber · Aug 2, 2026 · 18m

This podcast episode draws on a technical article by Helmut Demmelhuber, focusing on the strategic dimension of dairy breeding beyond numerical indices. It challenges the idea of mating decisions as a simple combination of figures, emphasizing the need to assess individual cow strengths and weaknesses. The analysis highlights how reliance on popular sires or high rankings often leads to inconsistent results. True progress comes from targeted mating strategies with clear correction goals and continuous evaluation of offspring performance. In the end, breeding success is driven by deliberate…