Chapter 13: Evaluation of the breeding program

After the design and implementation of the breeding program it is essential to evaluate the result: how big is the genetic response to selection? If all went according to plan, this will resemble your predicted genetic response. However, in some situations the predicted and realized genetic response will be different. In that case it is essential to find out and to make adjustments where needed. We have reached step 7 in the breeding program cycle: evaluation of the breeding program. In this chapter we will discuss a number of issues that need to be considered so that the success can be maintained or improved on in the next generation. Is the quality of pedigree and phenotype recording without error? Have animals that were selected for breeding indeed be used for breeding? Is the selection environment a good representation of the environment that the offspring need to perform in? In other words: have we selected the right animals? Could it be that the population has reached a selection limit? Another point of evaluation is what other changes have occurred that were not anticipated. Has selection to improve the traits in the breeding goal also caused (undesired) response in other traits? Evaluation of a breeding program not only involves evaluating the breeding practice. It will also involve looking ahead. Has there been any change in legislation or market situation, or are changes expected in the near future?  What is your competitor doing? What should you do to keep/expand your market share? You see that even though the breeding program is up and running, it still requires effort to keep it that way.

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Apart from genetic progress that has been achieved, breeding programs need to be evaluated on another important aspect: to what extend has the genetic diversity been maintained? Is the rate of inbreeding under control? If not, what could be changed to improve that? This evaluation of the genetic diversity is very important in evaluating the breeding program. Without genetic diversity there is no future for the breeding program, and a decrease in genetic diversity results in an increase in inbreeding depression and the frequency of genetic disorders in the population. The evaluation of the breeding program from a genetic diversity point of view will be discussed in a separate chapter (Chapter 14).