DairyTalk 409: More cows, same problems: why expansion often amplifies structural weaknesses - by Helmut Demmelhuber

This episode builds on a technical article examining the
strategic trade-off between herd expansion and operational
efficiency in dairy farming. It argues that simply increasing cow
numbers often magnifies existing system weaknesses rather than
resolving them. The key factor is not herd size, but the
performance of the entire farm system, including workflow
stability and animal quality. The analysis highlights why
investments in technology and genetics only pay off when the
underlying management system is robust. This leads to a critical
question: is growth the driver of success - or the result of a
well-functioning system?