Breeding objectives are largely determined by market requirements. In the tropics, the overall breeding objective can be considered in terms of growth, reproductive rate, carcass quality, adaptation and temperament. Growth rate is a simple efficien t selection tra it. Reasons why potential increases in mature size are not as disadvantageous as in temperate areas are discussed. Reproductive performance has been less important in harsh than benign environments because of the later age of turnoff and higher drought risk of fe r tile cows. Current market trends towards younger slaughter stock highlight the need to identify marker traits in bulls for cow fe r tility . Adaptive traits have been defined for heat tolerance, parasite and disease resistance. It is not yet clear under what conditions direct selection for adaptation is lik ely to be advantageous. It may be appropriate where genotype - environment interactions need to be considered.
Proceedings of the World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Volume IX. Breeding programs for dairy and beef cattle, water buffalo, sheep, and goats., , 244–258, 1986
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