Jared Decker (University of Missouri): Generation interval is the average age of the parents when their progeny, in this case calves, are born. Generation interval is important because it can limit or improve the rate at which we’re able to make genetic progress. For example, if our generation interval is 8 years, in other words, the average age of the parents is 8 years old, our genetic progress is going to be slower than if we had a generation interval of 4 years. So, as we turn those generations over more rapidly, use younger sires and dams, we’re able to make more rapid genetic progress.
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