Experience in breeding objectives for beef cattle, sheep and pigs, new developments and future needs

Abstract

Breeding objectives and their derivation are considered in relation to numerous changes occurring in genetics, in societal attitudes, and in the environment. We outline the experience in Australia with breeding objectives for beef cattle, sheep and pigs and discuss ramifications of the new developments for future objectives. Areas are suggested where more attention will be needed, and where the framework for deriving objectives may need to be extended to encompass the new issues. It is important that all issues are able to continue to be considered within a consistent breeding objective framework and industries are able to maintain focus on selection for the whole breeding objective.