Genetic management of the Breton Black-Pied cattle breed

Abstract

Since its conservation programme started in 1976,the Breton Black-Pied cattle breed has been one of thetwelve French dairy breeds under conservation. A profileof corresponding breeders was briefly outlined andinformations are given about the population size overtime. The guidelines used for past genetic management are presented. Usual criteria for monitoring genetic variability are calculated and discussed (coancestry, inbreeding and number of founding genes still present).The motivations and principles of a future breeding plan, expected to be more efficient, are presented.The trend observed in the current programme would lead to an average in breeding coefficient of about 10-11% for animals born in 2030. Simulations showed that implementing the new plan would reduce this coefficient to only 4.5-5%.