Selection of which parent is more important when a producer is developing a breeding program?

In a breeding program, sire selection is often considered more critical due to several key factors. Sires contribute half of the genetic material to the offspring, and their ability to transmit desired traits can have a significant impact on the herd's overall performance. Many desirable traits, such as growth rate, feed efficiency, and reproductive performance, can be enhanced through effective sire selection, as well as through the use of genetically superior males.

Additionally, in many livestock species, males can produce a larger number of offspring compared to females. This amplifies the influence of a good sire across the breeding program, thus maximizing the genetic gain in the herd. The characteristics of the sire can also set a benchmark for the genetic potential of the progeny, making their selection paramount.

While dam selection is undoubtedly significant since the female also contributes genetic material and plays a vital role in nurturing and rearing the young, the multiplication effect of a single sire's traits makes sire selection particularly impactful in the development of a breeding program.