Application of different breeding goal functions in the progeny testing program of Iranian Holsteins

In the current study, a deterministic model was used to simulate various progeny test programs of Iranian Holstein in order to investigate the results of application of three different breeding goal functions. The goal 1 consisted only milk production, the goal 2 included milk and fat percentage and the goal consisted herd life inaddition of production traits. Per each goal function a selection index was established using production and type traits correlated with herd life. Selection accuracy in various selection paths varied from 52% to 94% with the lowest one belonging to goal 3 due to lower heritability for herd life. Genetic gain was 0.24, 0.24 and 0.15 time of breeding goal standard deviation for the goal 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Comparison of correlated economic response from three breeding goals showed that the goal 1 and 2, lacking herd life, had lower economic efficiency relative to goal 3.