DairyTalk 541: Strong numbers, weak cows? Why catalogue-based mating falls short - by Helmut Demmelhuber

DairyTalk by Helmut Demmelhuber · Jul 15, 2026 · 11m

This podcast episode draws on a technical article by Helmut Demmelhuber, exploring the logic of targeted mating in modern dairy breeding. It challenges a purely index-driven bull selection that often ignores the actual weaknesses of individual cows. The analysis highlights why sustainable genetic progress comes from consistently correcting specific deficiencies. A key principle is limiting each mating decision to a small number of clear breeding objectives while avoiding the accumulation of genetic flaws. Ultimately, breeding is framed as a practical problem-solving tool that must prove its…