Abstract
A simulation of a selection and mating scheme for beef herds was conducted to compare the genetic progress achieved over 20 generations through evaluation of the animals by best linear unbiased prediction and by a selection index. For comparison, the same selection and mating scheme was applied to the herd using the true genetic values of each animal. Traits considered in the simulation were direct maternal genetic calving ease, birth weight, weaning weight and yearling weight. The analysis was replicated 100 times for each method of evaluation. In general, the best linear unbiased prediction system achieved greater genetic response than the selection index system. The BLUP system gave 18.7% better genetic improvement in total net worth than the selection index system. However, the selection index system gave only 42.7% and the BLUP system gave 50.6% of the response from selection on true net worth values. Keywords: Beef cattle, selection index, assortative mating.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
