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

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 yield - or shift toward robust cows
capable of lasting four to five lactations? With comments on a
"The Bullvine"-article (December 21th, 2025) by Andrew Hunt:
https://www.thebullvine.com