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

Until the 1970s, it was common practice here in the Swabia region of Germany for all the farmers in a village to pool their resources in order to buy a breeding bull. The bull stayed in the farrowing pen in the village for one to two years and serviced almost all the cows in the village. 

If the breeding bull did not have the expected hereditary traits, it sometimes came to pass that two generations of cattle did not produce much milk or were weak working animals, for example. This could cause great economic damage to the village.

In the early days of modern breeding practice, the focus was very much on the so-called super bulls and their sons, which were used again and again. This inbreeding then gave rise to new hereditary diseases. 

Today, cattle breeding is once again very broadly based. Most dairy cows are assessed by experts and the best possible breeding bulls are found for the herd together with the farmers and with the help of mating programs. This is no longer just about performance, but also takes many health aspects into account when mating.

Back to the top

Doctoral candidate in the “Farm Management” department at the University of Hohenheim

This picture reminds me of a recent question from a schoolchild: We were looking at three young goat kids who were spending time in the open air with their caring mothers, and he asked where the father was. Presumably because this would not be practicable if you became the father of 2,300 more offspring every month. 

Efficiency and breeding progress take their toll – and unusual questions and confrontational images like these can remind us to consider this aspect. At the same time, this practice prevents the waste of resources, and by exporting the sperm, breeding progress is shared worldwide – a contribution to global justice on a human level. 

Whether Mad Max, Bagno, Maserati, Mutant, and Rapper would consider this a fair balance is admittedly a matter of speculation -– and should give us scientists cause to further harmonize “optimal breeding” and animal welfare.

Back to the top

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

Artificial insemination is a tool that has revolutionized livestock farming. This makes it possible to disseminate breeding progress much faster. Inbreeding is reduced, mating diseases are avoided, and animals are mated consistent with animal welfare and animal health.

Back to the top

International student in the “Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics” Master’s program at the University of Hohenheim

“Mendel’s peas” in biology class was the end of genetics for me – I found so many other topics so much more exciting. Accordingly, I also avoided the modules on improving genetic material during my studies. 

But at some point I asked myself the question: How did the modern cow, producing more than 10,000 kilograms of milk per lactation, come about? Through breeding, of course – the individuals with the best characteristics are selected for breeding. Desirable: Lots of milk with a high fat and protein content, stable health, and a long productive life. 

I like the idea of farmers flipping through glossy catalogs online and raving about bulls with perfect daughters – in reality, it's probably much more complex. After all, it is a multi-million euro business for the companies which now have a monopoly on bull semen. Somehow also creepy.

How far we have come since Mendel! But one question remains unanswered for me: How does the view of breeding success change when animal welfare is given greater consideration?

Back to the top