Kotieläinjalostus kannattaa

Authors

• Kalle Maijala Helsingin yliopisto, Kotieläinten jalostustieteen laitos, 00710 Helsinki 71

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.71962

Abstract

A basic condition for the profitability of breeding is that the breeding objectives are economically important traits. By using modern selection indices one can breed directly for profitability. The profitability of breeding can be considered from the viewpoints of private breeder, nation or the whole world. The national viewpoint deserves the main attention. The all costs and returns, as well as a long enough perspective can be considered. A private member of A.I. society is interested in immediate utilization of good males, not so much in investing money to get the males tested. The annual net profit from a daughter of a top bull may be 300 Fmk above the herd average. Investing money in to testing bulls is very profitable for the society. In Finland (750 000 dairy cows) the daughters of selected A.I. bulls can produce an additional profit of 112 mill. Fmk as compared to average bulls. The testing costs are less than 10 % of this. This rough calculation is supported by several more detailed studies from abroad. The annual genetic change in milk yield has recently been about 1% per year, which in the Finnish cow population means a net profit of about 30 mill. Fmk to producers. The total change from 1913 to 1977 has been about 50 %, i.e. today about 1 milliard Fmk/year. Thus, the milk price is 0.70 Fmk/kg lower than the present total income to producers would presuppose incase the genetic level would not have changed since 1913.