DairyTalk 194: Genetic Cannibalism - When Milk Production Eats the Cow - by Helmut Demmelhuber

DairyTalk by Helmut Demmelhuber · Dec 28, 2025 · 16m

Modern dairy cows are producing more milk than ever - but at a hidden biological cost. New research shows that high-yielding cows can lose up to 40% of their muscle mass within the first 60 days of lactation. This “genetic cannibalism” turns muscle into a metabolic reserve, silently undermining fertility, immunity, and longevity. Decades of selection for peak production have created animals that sustain output by consuming their own bodies. This episode explores why muscle loss is the missing link in early culling and asks a fundamental question: will the industry continue chasing extreme…