DairyTalk 597: Habit over genetics? Why poor cow selection blocks real progress - by Helmut Demmelhuber

DairyTalk by Helmut Demmelhuber · Aug 6, 2026 · 19m

This podcast episode draws on a technical article by Helmut Demmelhuber, examining the strategic selection of breeding cows in dairy operations. It challenges decisions driven by habit or emotional attachment rather than objective evaluation. The discussion highlights why milk yield alone is not a reliable indicator of breeding value and emphasizes the importance of functional traits. It also addresses how costly tools like sexed semen should be applied selectively to maximize genetic and economic returns. Ultimately, long-term herd development depends on disciplined selection that combines…