DairyTalk 462: Longevity Over Short-Term Peak Production: The New Economics of Holstein Breeding - by Helmut Demmelhuber

This podcast episode examines the growing shift in Holstein
breeding toward health, longevity, and functional efficiency
rather than purely visual appeal or extreme production. The
featured analysis explains why “low-maintenance” cows are
becoming economically more valuable in modern dairy systems,
especially in farms operating robotic milking technologies and
labor-constrained management structures. Key breeding indexes
such as RZGesund and RZN are highlighted as tools for selecting
cows that remain fertile, healthy, and operationally stable over
longer productive lifetimes. The article argues that reduced
veterinary costs, lower management pressure, and consistent herd
performance often create greater long-term profitability than
short-lived peak production animals. As a result, dairy breeding
is increasingly prioritizing biological efficiency and system
stability over spectacular individual performance.