The process of deriving a prediction of an animal’s genetic merit as a parent, based on available performance data and pedigree information, is a cornerstone of modern animal breeding. This predictive figure quantifies the expected genetic contribution of an individual to its offspring for a particular trait, such as milk production in dairy cattle or growth rate in beef cattle. For example, an individual with a high value for a specific trait is expected to produce offspring with a higher genetic potential for that trait compared to an individual with a lower value.
The employment of these predictions allows for informed selection decisions, accelerating genetic improvement within a population. By strategically choosing superior individuals for breeding, producers can systematically enhance the performance characteristics of subsequent generations, leading to increased efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Historically, subjective assessments were used to select breeding animals. The adoption of quantitative methods has revolutionized animal breeding by providing objective and standardized measures, resulting in faster and more predictable genetic gains.
