A geneticist's perspective from within a broiler primary breeder company

Recent trends occurring in broiler primary breeding companies are described . The structure and operation of broiler primary breeder companies are desc ribed from pedigree elite populations, through great-grandparent and grandp arent: generations, down to the parent stock. The relatively low value of f ertility and hatchability, compared with yield and feed efficiency as selec tion traits, is assessed. The impact of the last 10 yr of genetic improveme nt in broiler and breeder traits are quantified and discussed, and predicti ons for future performance are made. It is concluded that artificial insemi nation will not be used in broiler primary breeder grandparent flocks or br oiler breeder flocks until there is a 20% decline in fertility.