DairyTalk 341: Legends of Modern Holsteins: How Elite Bulls Influence Entire Populations - by Helmut Demmelhuber

This podcast episode draws on an industry article examining the
most influential Holstein sires of the past two decades. The
analysis shows how a small number of elite bulls have shaped the
genetic direction of dairy populations worldwide through
extensive use and large numbers of offspring. Sires such as O-Bee
Manfred Justice and Braedale Goldwyn illustrate how different
breeding priorities—from production to health and
conformation—became widely established. The article also
highlights how genomic evaluation has accelerated the
international spread of these influential bloodlines. As a
result, a relatively small group of sires continues to form the
genetic backbone of many modern breeding programs.