What is the first step in developing a breeding program?

The first step in developing a breeding program is setting goals. This foundational step is critical because it helps define the direction and purpose of the entire program. Without clear and specific goals, it becomes challenging to make informed decisions about which traits to select, how to measure those traits, or which parents to choose in the breeding process.

Goals should encompass the desired outcomes based on the needs of the operation—such as improving health, growth rate, adaptation to environmental conditions, or reproductive performance. By establishing these goals upfront, breeders can create a focused strategy that guides all subsequent activities in the breeding program, making it more effective and aligned with the desired objectives.

The other options, while important aspects of the breeding program, rely on the foundation established by setting clear goals. For example, choosing and weighing traits, determining measurement, and devising a strategy for selecting parents all follow from the goals set at the outset. Without those initial goals, traits may not be prioritized correctly, measurements may lack relevance, and the selection of parents may not align with the overall breeding objectives.