Milk is reasonably heritable. Thus, milk production should be the primary selection goal for all dairymen. From an economic standpoint, the selection of other traits should be dependent upon their heritability, economic importance, and phenotypic and genetic relationship to other economically important traits.
Profitability is the goal.
The rate of progress achieved is dependent upon progress in the population from which the sires and dams are selected by individual dairymen. Genetic and economic aspects of these two sets of alternatives will be discussed later. High production provides for management income small version large version Female reproductive management practices have major effect on the profitability of the cow being bred. Unlike genetic progress, improvements made in one year do not carry forth to the next unless the improved practices are maintained. Economic benefits from improved management are realized immediately.