Progeny Test of Elite Sires for Profitability Traits

Summary

Breeders in Australia have generally been reluctant to invest in the conduct of properly structured progeny test programs. Semen from Australian bred sires are unlikely to be successfully traded on the international market unless these sires are adequately progeny tested to improve the accuracy of their estimated breeding values (EBVs) for a comprehensive suite of economic traits.
It was anticipated that if short-term funding assistance was provided to demonstrate the benefits of structured progeny testing to the Australian beef industry then breeders would be willing in the longer-term to invest in the full cost of implementing these programs. Such programs wpuld assist Australian breeders in positioning themselves in the global genetics market by providing quality progeny test information on potentially elite young sires. In addition, the program would provide valuable information to enhance the genetic tools available to all cattle breeders in Australia.