DairyTalk 439: Genomic testing without selection discipline is draining dairy farm profitability - by Helmut Demmelhuber

DairyTalk by Helmut Demmelhuber · May 21, 2026 · 20m

This podcast episode draws on a Bullvine analysis exploring the economic gap between genomic testing costs and actual on-farm returns in U.S. dairy production. The article argues that collecting genetic data has little value unless producers apply strict selection strategies and make disciplined breeding and replacement decisions. A Kansas dairy example illustrates how raising low-value heifers despite genomic insights can erode profitability through unnecessary rearing costs and missed efficiency gains. The analysis also highlights increasing pressure from lenders who now expect measurable…