Choosing Progeny-Tested Holstein Sires That Meet Genetic Goals at Minimum Semen Cost

Six genetic goals were investigated with linear programming for their effect on minimum semen cost, sires selected for service and economic values. In the goals were predicted difference milk, predicted difference percent milk fat, repeatability milk, predicted difference type, repeatability type, composite scores for mammary conformation and for body conformation and the percent of herd semen requirement available. Data for all traits were readily available to Holstein breeders for progeny-tested sires. The minimum semen cost of the 6 goals ranged from $5.69-$25.37. Sires (12) from the 31 sires in the data set were recommended for at least 1 genetic goal. Sires (4-6) were selected to meet each genetic goal. Resulting economic values ranged from $-$.10 per kg predicted difference milk, from $-$1047 per change predicted difference percent milk fat and from $0-$76.70 per unit change of predicted difference type.