STUDY ON SIRE EVALUATION METHODS IN SAHIWAL CATTLE

Abstract

The  breeding  values  of  51  Sahiwal  sires  were estimated from the actual and predicted FL305DMY by applying four sire evaluation methods viz., least squares, simple regressed least squares, best linear unbiased prediction and derivative free restricted maximum likelihood. The derivative free restricted maximum likelihood method had lowest error variance for both actual and predicted first lactation 305-days milk yields and it was considered to be the most efficient method. The BLUP method was second efficient  followed by LSM and SRLS method.