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Genetic Optimization of a Young Bull Sampling Program in Dairy Cattle

Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55101

ABSTRACT

Two parameters designed to characterize an artificially inseminated dairy cattle population were developed. They were: M = (population size) (percentage of population on test) (replacement rate); and S = (number of proven bulls required to breed the whole population) (Fraction of bulls in the stud replaced every year).

The fraction selected among progeny tested bulls and the fraction of the cow population bred to young bulls that maximized genetic effect per generation of the young bull sampling program were determined in terms of M/aS where a is a function of heritability.

As M/aS increases, optimums of both fractions decrease. The optimum selection intensity among progeny tested bulls to maximize genetic effect of the sampling program seems much higher than the intensity currently applied. On the other hand, the fraction of the cow population used for testing seems nearer optimum.