Three easy fixes for sire use can enhance genetic progress in community-based breeding programmes.

Area of Science:

• Animal Breeding and Genetics
• Quantitative Genetics
• Livestock Production Systems

Background:

• Community-based breeding programs (CBBP) are crucial for genetic improvement in sheep and goats.
• Optimizing sire utilization is key to maximizing genetic gain within CBBPs.
• Field conditions present challenges like premature culling, fixed sire service periods, and incomplete pedigrees.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze and optimize sire selection strategies in sheep and goat CBBPs.
• To evaluate the impact of different scenarios on genetic progress and breeding value accuracy.
• To propose methods for improving sire management and pedigree information utilization.

Main Methods:

• Simulations were used to assess various selection pressures and multi-stage selection outcomes.
• Analysis of sire service period alternatives, including ranking-based and across-age BLUP EBVs.
• Investigation of incorporating possible sires and mating probabilities into BLUP breeding value estimation.

Main Results:

• A two-stage selection process can balance early culling of sire candidates with substantial genetic progress.
• Flexible sire service periods, especially with BLUP EBVs, significantly increase genetic gain compared to fixed periods.
• Including possible sires in pedigree data substantially improves breeding value accuracy, approaching known sire accuracy.

Conclusions:

• Strategic sire selection and management are vital for efficient genetic improvement in CBBPs.
• Flexible sire service periods and advanced breeding value estimation methods enhance genetic gain.
• Accurate pedigree information, including possible sires, is essential for maximizing genetic potential in livestock populations.