DairyTalk 516: Too Focused on Balance? Why Holstein Breeding Cannot Ignore Production Performance - by Helmut Demmelhuber

This podcast episode is based on an article by Helmut Demmelhuber
examining the balance between production and functional traits in
modern Holstein breeding. At the center of the discussion is
whether current breeding goals place enough value on the economic
contribution of high milk and component production. The article
argues that health and fertility traits are essential for
reducing losses, but that profitability ultimately depends on
cows generating strong production returns. It also questions
whether an excessive focus on balance could unintentionally limit
the use of exceptional genetic potential for performance. The
broader takeaway is that the future of successful breeding lies
not in choosing between health and production, but in finding the
right balance for each farm’s economic reality and strategic
objectives.