breeding values

Breeding values are estimates of an individual’s genetic contribution to its offspring’s traits, such as size, milk production, or growth rate. They reflect the inherited characteristics that can be passed from parent to offspring, separate from environmental effects. A higher breeding value indicates a greater potential for favorable traits in future generations. Farmers and breeders use these values to select animals likely to produce better offspring, helping improve desired traits over time through selective breeding. Essentially, breeding values quantify an animal’s genetic worth to guide efficient and targeted breeding decisions.