Defining valid breeding goals for animal breeds

Area of Science:

• Animal breeding
• Quantitative genetics
• Population genetics

Background:

• Traditional animal breeding programs optimize goals assuming profit maximization.
• This assumption is often inaccurate, necessitating a generalized approach.
• A valid breeding program must increase a breed's suitability for its intended purpose.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a generalized approach for optimizing breeding goals in animal breeding.
• To move beyond the profit maximization assumption in breeding programs.
• To incorporate broader owner and consumer satisfaction into breeding goal optimization.

Main Methods:

• The study introduces a generalized approach based on the "niche concept."
• A breed's niche is defined as environments supporting positive population growth.
• The approach identifies trait optima for maximizing adaptation to an envisaged niche, replacing the profit function with an adaptedness function.

Main Results:

• The generalized approach defines breed niche based on environmental factors and population growth.
• Breed adaptation is measured by producer and consumer satisfaction with animals and products.
• The method identifies trait optima for maximizing adaptation within permissible breeding goals.

Conclusions:

• The proposed approach aligns with traditional methods only if profit is the sole motive and prices reflect consumer preferences.
• When profit maximization or accurate price reflection is not met, traditional methods may yield invalid breeding goals.
• This niche-based approach offers a more valid framework, particularly for companion breeds, filling a critical gap in breeding goal optimization.