BREEDING FOR PROFIT - SYNERGISM BETWEEN GENETIC-IMPROVEMENT AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION (A REVIEW)

Fifty years of research in animal breeding and genetics are examined f rom four perspectives: 1) genetic prediction, 2) animal testing and se lection schemes, 3) dissemination of genetic improvement, and 4) defin ition of breeding objectives in economic form. Breeding in all classes of livestock has moved from a purebred appearance orientation to a pe rformance (either purebred or crossbred) orientation. Unfortunately, t he evolution from a performance orientation to an economic orientation is incomplete, especially for some livestock classes. Placing breedin g objectives into a mathematical form on a sound economic basis is key to integrating modern developments in animal breeding into more purpo seful industry programs. Procedures used to develop such objectives ar e reviewed with attention to common approaches. Where consensus is rea ched about a breeding objective (in economic form) for a class of live stock, this objective can be used in conjunction with genetic predicti ons to rank animals within a breeding population. Ranking without undu e attention to herd of origin facilitates a pyramid-shaped hierarchy o f animals that can be fundamental to the functioning of breeding enter prises contributing improvements to operations concerned with producti on. Genetic improvements should flow from proven genetically superior animals to improved production systems. The tiers of the pyramid need to be organized relative to animals with differing levels of economic evaluation.