E195 Lucky or Calculated? The Surprising Truth About Genomics and Luck in Dairy Breeding

Hosts Bella and Douglas explore whether modern genomic breeding tools have truly eliminated the role of luck in dairy breeding. They discuss fascinating historical “lucky breaks” that shaped Holstein genetics, examine the limitations of current genomic technology, and offer practical strategies for breeders navigating the upcoming April 2025 genetic evaluation updates. This episode reveals that despite scientific advances, chance still plays a significant role in breeding success.

Topics Covered

• The 75% Solution: The reliability limits of genomic prediction tools (2:15)

• Historical Lucky Breaks: How chance events created legendary Holstein bloodlines (7:30)

• The Missing Telephone: The Spring Brook Bess Burke story (9:45)

• The Injured Leg: How Montvic Pathfinder changed Holstein history (15:20)

• The Change ...