Abstract
National beef sire evaluation is a reality. Several breed organizations are conducting their respective programs which should strengthen the breeds and keep them available to the beef industry. Both field data and designed programs are descriptive in that they measure several traits on each sire, but do not define a superior animal thus leaving that decision to the breeders. Diversity of the programs being conducted within the guidelines of the Beef Improvement Federation (1972 and 1974) is healthy. Provided the programs will be used as a learning experience, such that improved methods of sire evaluation are forthcoming, the beef industry can benefit greatly from the conduct of such participating educational tools. Short term direction includes the use of more field data in sire evaluation, even though designed programs will probably be improved and used for a number of years, especially in breeds having some restrictions on artificial insemination. There is real opportunity to evaluate the various types of programs in time through the Beef Improvement Federation. Long term direction includes the use of large systems of linear equations in which both contemporary groups and breeding values using all available data including that from relatives are evaluated simultaneously. This direction assumes the widespread use of artificial insemination as a tool for breed improvement. The direction of the breeds will probably be toward animals that can perform well in a rotational system of crossbreeding in commercial production. Copyright © 1979. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1979 by American Society of Animal Science.