Seedstock producers require sound selection programs to ensure genetic progress for their customers. This fact sheet will aid seedstock producers in determining their selection objective(s) and how
to make selection and culling decisions while managing risk. The concepts of performance testing, expected progeny differences (EPDs), accuracies and selection indexes will also be briefly
reviewed. However, this is not a comprehensive publication on genetic improvement. Before using this fact sheet, it may be worthwhile to read NSIF fact sheets #9 and #10.
The order of topics in this fact sheet are:
1. Determining selection objectives
2. Basics of performance testing
3. Expected progeny differences (EPDs)
4. Accuracies
5. Selection indexes
6. Making selection decisions
7. Selecting and culling sires
8. Selecting and culling females
9. Managing selection risk
10. Summary