DairyTalk 489: Genetics Is Not a Farm Strategy: Why Herd Analysis Still Matters Most - by Helmut Demmelhuber

DairyTalk by Helmut Demmelhuber · Jun 18, 2026 · 21m

This podcast episode is based on a technical article that takes a critical look at the evolution of dairy cattle breeding, from traditional selection methods to the era of genomic selection. The key question is whether genetic progress is being aligned with the specific needs of individual farms or driven primarily by rankings and market trends. The article highlights how the pursuit of elite genetic figures has at times contributed to functional weaknesses, including fertility challenges and structural deficiencies. At the same time, it argues that modern breeding indexes remain valuable…