ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights main aspects of breeding programmes in dairy and discusses the development of structures of breeding programmes. It also discusses the main factors that drive genetic change, in particular, the dominating progeny testing schemes, and how these factors have changed over time with the introduction of new technologies. Selective breeding had been one of the most powerful tools to change the constitution and productivity of the dairy herd. Artificial insemination has been applied since the 1950s and had an important impact on the selection intensity of males and the dissemination of the best genetic material across the population. The structure of breeding programmes is usually described as a pyramid, with a breeding nucleus at the top. In the nucleus, selection is made on the basis of investment in the measurement of phenotype, pedigree and genomic testing. The dairy breeding programme is characterized by having an open dispersed nucleus, consisting of elite cows that are mated to elite bulls.
