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My passion:
Holstein breeding
(c) Foto: Carolin Albers
I grew up on this farm in Upper Bavaria. This is where my passion for dairy cows, breeding, and agriculture took root. Many of the beliefs I hold today didn’t come from a classroom or a computer, but from the barn, the fields, and conversations around the kitchen table.
The Story Behind DairyTalk
Growing up on a Bavarian dairy farm with 50 Holstein cows and our own breeding program, I developed a passion for dairy cattle and Holstein breeding from an early age. Holstein breeding wasn’t just a hobby for us - it was part of our daily lives. Milking before school, caring for calves, assisting with births, and discussing breeding pairings were just as much a part of it as the enthusiasm for good cows and successful cow families. From an early age, I was fascinated by why some animals develop exceptionally well and others do not. Why some cow families combine performance, health, and conformation across generations - and others do not. These questions still occupy my mind to this day.
A turning point that changed so much
When I was 15, a serious accident involving my father fundamentally changed our family’s life. Step by step, our active dairy farm turned into a struggle just to keep going. By the time I graduated from high school, we finally had to give up the cows. My passion for Holstein breeding, however, remained. During my studies in Passau, Freiburg, the U.S., and Israel - as well as later in my professional career in academia, business, and public administration - I never lost touch with cattle breeding. More than 35 years ago, I published my first technical article on Holstein breeding. Back then, I received a fee of 400 D-Mark for it - and I was as proud as can be.
Why Holstein breeding still fascinates me today
I’m not fascinated by the animals with the highest individual breeding values. I’m fascinated by cows that remain healthy for many years, perform reliably, and at the same time enable genetic progress. I’m fascinated by successful cow families, long-term breeding strategies, and the question of how herds develop over generations. Because sustainable breeding success doesn’t happen by chance. It results from consistent decisions.
From the Cow to the Herd
Many breeders know their best cows very well. But the truly exciting questions begin at the herd level:
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Where does the greatest genetic potential lie?
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Which traits are holding back progress?
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Which bull strategy is right for the farm?
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Which decisions yield the greatest economic benefit?
This is exactly where the DairyTalk 360° Breeding Planning, 360° Herd Analysis, the Flexi-Herd Index° and Flexi-Mate° come into play today.
Why DairyTalk Was Created
DairyTalk was born out of a desire to explain complex relationships surrounding breeding, genetics, and herd development in a way that is both understandable and practical. Not as just another source of information.
But rather as a guide for dairy farmers, breeders, and decision-makers. Through expert articles, podcasts, presentations, the 360° Breeding Planning, the 360° Herd Analysis, the Flexi-Herd-Index° an Flexi-Mate°, I combine practical breeding experience, genetic expertise, and modern AI methods.
The Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence will fundamentally transform cattle breeding and herd management in the coming years. Not because AI breeds better cows. But because it can reveal connections that often remain hidden in large amounts of data. My goal is to make these possibilities accessible to dairy farms - in a way that’s understandable, practical, and with a clear focus on better decisions.
My Guiding Principle
Data alone doesn’t breed better cows. Decisions do. Or to put it another way: It’s not the question, “Which bull is currently the best?” but rather, “Which decision will help this specific herd make the most progress?”
Our cows in 1987, before we had to give up our dairy farming.
My favorite cow, Marlene - a daughter of Norman from the Uelzen breeding program - who even made it into the Uelzen artificial insemination catalog, complete with a photo.
Back to Breeding
2025 was a turning point for me: I returned to active Holstein breeding - as a partner to a dedicated dairy farmer in northern Germany. Together, we purchased the two breeding heifers, Danny and Atlantica, at the Masterrind Exclusive Auction in Verden. Both come from proven international cow families and offer the best prerequisites for successful further breeding development. Shortly thereafter, we took the next step: the acquisition of high-quality breeding embryos with excellent genomic breeding values. Our goal is clear: We want to breed long-lived, high-performing, and functional cows - animals that impress both in the barn and genetically. In doing so, we don’t just look at breeding values and rankings. Equally important to us are conformation, udder quality, temperament, and that certain something that turns a good calf into a true breeding animal.
Danny (Farnear Delta Lambda x Stantons High Octane x Scientific Destry)
Danny competed in the Young Breeders' Triathlon in Verden - 3rd place - and earned a 1a award at the Tarmstedt Type Cup!
Atlantica (Callum x Peak Rover x Rosylane-LCC Murphy)
The auction is still in full swing - then Atlantica will be ours!
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