Nikita Teryoshin

Bonn, Deutscher Holstein Verband e.V.

The President of the Deutscher Holstein Verband e.V. [German Holstein Association e.V.] demonstrates the breeding process of the last 50 years. On the left, the original Holstein cow – on the right, the almost perfect, highly bred, so-called turbo cow: With a firm pastern, an optimum hind leg angle, and a multiple increase in milk yield. A cow that naturally produces around eight liters of milk a day for her calf can achieve up to 50 kg of milk through targeted breeding and computer technology. The visual transformation reminds me of the car construction of the last five decades: If a VW Beetle was on the left, the cow on the right could be compared with a modern SUV such as a Tiguan or Tuareg with a clear conscience.

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Professor Mizeck Chagunda

Director of the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH) at the University of Edinburgh, cooperation partner of the University of Hohenheim

For some reason, the dairy industry is convinced that the black and white cow is the best dairy cow. Some of our own research has shown that in tropical areas it may be much better to focus on using suitable animals of any breed rather than targeting a specific dairy breed.

One reason for the black and white cow being misjudged could be that animal husbandry in industrialized countries has standardized management systems to a great extent. However, these only work under certain conditions. However, in areas where there is a lack of adequate feeding and disease control, such management problems can lead to animal welfare issues. 

In addition, the genetics of the black and white cow are not suitable for every environment. This leads to very low productivity, also known as productivity gaps.

To close these productivity gaps, animal breeders and animal technology experts need to work together. The right breeds in the right environment promote animal welfare, productivity, and sustainability.

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Raoul von Schmettow

Director of dairy farming at the Meiereihof research station, University of Hohenheim

The models show the breeding objective, not necessarily the reality. 

Targeted breeding and computer technology alone are insufficient to reach 50 kilograms of milk output. The share of genetics in milk yield is only 30 per cent. 

High milk yields can be achieved if all factors are right: Breeding that is not only geared towards milk yield, balanced, clean, and ruminant-friendly feeding, animal-friendly husbandry with plenty of space for the cows, good milking technology and – the right, friendly handling of the animals that takes into account the characteristics of the cows. 

What's more: Until the 1950s, the cow on most farms here in Württemberg was also a working animal that pulled the plow or the harrow. And a good working cow was just as valuable as a good dairy cow back then. 

On the other hand, on the large dairy farms in East Prussia, individual cows were already being milked by hand for 10,000 liters of milk a year in the 1910s.

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Anna Neufeldt

Doctoral candidate at the University of Hohenheim’s Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding

In recent decades, milk yield in particular has been increased through targeted breeding.

Nowadays, however, great importance is attached to health traits and holistic breeding instead of just looking at milk yield. Accordingly, the aim is to avoid breeding errors, such as in the pet sector. 

The so-called breeding value of an animal is therefore made up of many health characteristics in addition to performance characteristics. For example, heat tolerance, parasite tolerance, or disease susceptibility can be improved through breeding. 

Modern animal breeding therefore takes a holistic approach, taking into account performance as well as health and animal welfare.

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Conrad Hegge

Student in the 9th semester of the Bachelor’s “Biobased Products and Bioenergy” program at the University of Hohenheim, member of the Sustainability working group

For me, the two cow models represent two points of view that are seemingly contradictory, although they both have the same goal, namely sustainability.

I got to know one point of view during a volunteer year on a Demeter farm with a Jersey dairy herd. There, sustainability was also considered in terms of animal welfare: The cows there should not only function as “milk and birthing machines,” but have the opportunity to “be an animal” and form a character, which seems to be denied to them in conventional dairy farming.

I know the other point of view from discussions with people who think of sustainability primarily in terms of the effectiveness of livestock. They argue that environmental protection also benefits when newer breeds produce more meat and milk with less feed than older breeds. This saves resources such as arable land and grazing land, which could then be made available for biodiversity, for example.

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