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DairyTalk 627: Beyond Rankings: Why Health Traits Matter as Much as Total Merit Indexes - by Helmut Demmelhuber
This podcast episode is based on a technical article from The Bullvine examining the limitations of relying solely on total merit indexes when selecting dairy bulls. At the center of the discussion is why high overall index values can mask important weaknesses in health and fitness traits, creating long-term economic risks for dairy herds. The article explains why fertility, health, and wellness traits should be evaluated alongside total merit to reduce the risk of mastitis, lameness, and premature culling. It also explores the "No-Holes" strategy, which prioritizes balanced genetic profiles…
The skinny
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