Evaluation of existing selection criteria for cattle in terms of total herd efficiency

Abstract

Breeding should always be aimed at the improvement of total herd efficiency. Selection criteria were evaluated from this viewpoint. In dairy cattle there was a marked increase in production traits in the 10 year period studied. During this period calving interval was also shortened by 5%. It was indicated that these changes probably led to an improvement in total herd efficiency. Thus, it seems that performance testing and selection criteria are utilized in the correct manner by dairy cattle breeders. In beef cattle no improvement was found in performance under farming conditions.