ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the implementation of the new procedures for beef breeders. The performance committees of the board of directors of breed associations have led in the development of useful performance programs for breeders. Because of this success, the time has come once again to develop new breeding technology and put it to practical use. The primary problem with the technology of stems from the work of breeders who are making genetic changes by conducting effective breeding programs. Fair comparisons between young and older animals based on existing estimated breeding values are simply no longer possible. Breeders are aware that the maternal breeding values of yearling bulls are not comparable to the maternal breeding values of sires with their first daughters. The development and implementation of mixed-model analysis procedures for simultaneous evaluation within and across herds can provide the accurate selection criteria to use both within and across herds of a breed.
