Bull Progeny Testing in Denmark

Abstract

During the last decade or more we have heard a great deal about progeny testing. Discussion has centred round three chief points. Under what conditions can selection by progeny testing lead to an increase in the rate of genetic improvement ? What method of testing and interpretation of results is most efficient and most practical ? How should the results be applied—that is in what way should the tested animals be used ? In their paper reprinted herein (page 79) Johansson and Robertson have shown to what extent modern genetical theory can answer the second of these questions. It now remains for the executive agencies of livestock improvement to demonstrate the practical utility of the schemes they outline. We must wait some time, especially for slow-breeding animals like cattle, before the results of such a demonstration are available.