PROGENY GROUP SIZE IN AN ORGANIZED PROGENY TEST PROGRAM OF AI BEEF BULLS USING REFERENCE SIRES

Abstract

A numerical procedure was utilized to optimize the number of progeny for young bulls and reference sires in a beef sire progeny testing program. Optimization was based on attaining a desired level of accuracy on the types of comparisons that were to be made after the test was completed. As heritability increased, the total number of progeny required decreased, but the percentage of reference sire progeny remained the same. There were near optimum progeny distributions with smaller total number of progeny and only slightly less accurate than the optimum solutions which could also be considered for application. Key words: Progeny testing, beef cattle, optimum designs, reference sires