Dairytalk 442: RZG or TPI: Breeding index decisions should follow business strategy, not ideology - by Helmut Demmelhuber

This podcast episode draws on several expert articles examining
the strategic role of breeding indexes in Holstein genetics and
re-evaluates the tension between RZG and TPI. The discussion
highlights that both systems are designed for different
objectives: RZG prioritizes profitability and functional
performance within commercial production systems, while TPI
operates as a global benchmark for genetic marketing and
international visibility. The analysis explains why index
selection should be driven by business strategy rather than
breeding ideology. It also explores how the introduction of
Single-Step evaluation modernizes the German system while
potentially reducing the prominence of North American genetics
within local rankings. The central issue is how dairy operations
can secure both herd resilience and international genetic value
at the same time. With comments on a "KuhFacto"-article (5/2026)
by Christine Massfeller:
https://www.holsteininternational.com/de/edition/253/flipbook/0