A SEMEN ALLOCATION SYSTEM FOR LIVESTOCK IMPROVEMENT - A CASE-STUDY INGOAL PROGRAMMING

A goal programming model was developed to support an artificial breedi ng programme which involves breeding selection and then collection, pr ocessing, dispatch and insemination of semen from top genetically prov en bulls. Located in New Zealand, Livestock Improvement Corporation Lt d's programme rosters bulls for semen collection in order to meet give n demand. The first objective of this rostering is to maximise the con tribution to dairy farm incomes, through maximising the genetic progre ss of the national dairy herd. Once this maximum has been fixed, the s econd ranked objective of maintaining the financial viability of the c orporation is maximised. A goal programming model was thus used to ass ign bull semen to technologies, across specified periods, in order to meet demand and maximise the objective functions. As well as providing a semen allocation system, results showed the number of bulls from wh ich semen is collected can be reduced. In the case of 1991 Holstein-Fr iesian sires, the model predicted improvement of discounted cashflows to farmers by 5.8%, relative to current practice. This is equivalent t o $2.77m nationally.