DairyTalk 460: The End of the “Perfect Cow”: Why Holstein Breeding Became More Strategic - by Helmut Demmelhuber

DairyTalk by Helmut Demmelhuber · May 31, 2026 · 20m

This podcast episode explores how Holstein breeding is being reshaped by genomics, artificial intelligence, robotics, and data-driven management systems. The featured article describes the industry’s shift away from traditional selection based largely on visual appraisal and famous cow families toward highly specialized breeding strategies tailored to modern production goals. A central question emerges: what type of cow will future dairy farms actually need—maximum production, greater efficiency, stronger health traits, or compatibility with automated technologies? The analysis argues that…