Selecting AI Beef Sires for Maximum Profit

Beef producers face a complex decision-making process when selecting from among AI sires that range widely in price and expected progeny difference (EPD) for various traits. Although individual producers vary in specific production goals, their goal in genetic improvement is generally motivated by potential profit. Because of the complexity of the sire selection decision and with semen prices as great as $100 per vial, economically optimal choices are not always clearly evident. To assist the producer in this decision, AI service sires were ranked according to their net present value (NPV). The analysis considered multiple genetic traits and examined the impact of various production goals and management situations faced by producers. Spring 2003 EPD for weaning BW, yearling BW, and milk of 552 available AI beef sires were used. Seven breeds from four AI semen providers were evaluated, and sires were ranked by NPV from both the crossbred and purebred producer perspective. The analysis examined the impact on ranking of various production goals and management situations faced by producers. The 20 most profitable sires in each ranking offered substantial genetic improvement at less than the cost of average genetic improvement. The average