On 19 October 2026, a meeting was held between representatives of the National Research Institute of Animal Production and the Polish Association of Beef Cattle Breeders and Producers (PZHiPBM), devoted to the new selection sub-indices for beef cattle breeds developed by the Institute.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Association, headed by the President of the Management Board, Jacek Klimza; the Director of the PZHiPBM Office, Janusz Piotrowski; members of the PZHiPBM breeding team (Anna Strawa-Harasymowicz, Agnieszka Olendzka, Agnieszka Zbrzeźniak and Barbara Dąbek); and staff members of the National Research Institute of Animal Production (Piotr Wójcik, Grzegorz Skrzyński, Bartosz Szymik and Wojciech Jagusiak), who are involved in work related to the genetic evaluation of beef cattle.
During the meeting, an extensive discussion was held on the methodological assumptions underlying the new sub-indices, the rationale for the selection of traits included in them, and their practical application in the genetic improvement of the national beef cattle population. Particular attention was given to the possibility of broadening the scope of information made available to breeders, so that both production and functional traits could be taken into greater account in selection decisions.
The discussions concerned four new selection sub-indices developed by the National Research Institute of Animal Production in cooperation with PZHiPBM:
- Leg and Hoof Sub-Index (IKON) – including traits associated with locomotor ability, correct leg conformation and functionality, which are important for the functional longevity of animals.
- Meat Production Efficiency Sub-Index (PEM) – describing the genetic potential of animals for muscular development, with particular emphasis on body regions of major importance for production.
- Skeletal Structure Sub-Index (PSS) – including traits related to body frame, size, proportions and the development of individual body regions.
- Pasture Adaptation Sub-Index (PPP) – including functional traits relevant to the use of cattle under grazing conditions and in less intensive production systems.
As a result of the arrangements made during the meeting, PZHiPBM formally approved the developed sub-indices and commissioned the National Research Institute of Animal Production to implement them and introduce routine calculations as part of the tasks carried out for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development concerning the estimation of the genetic (breeding) value of beef cattle. The results of the new sub-indices will be published together with the results of the breeding value evaluation of beef bulls. Their estimation, publication and implementation in breeding practice are planned to begin in 2027.
The introduction of the new sub-indices will extend the current genetic evaluation of beef cattle by providing additional information useful in breeding practice. It will enable a more precise characterisation of the genetic potential of animals and facilitate the selection of individuals suited to specific breeding objectives and farm production conditions.
The development and planned implementation of the sub-indices represents another stage in the advancement of the national beef cattle breeding value evaluation system and constitutes an example of the practical application of the results of scientific work carried out by the National Research Institute of Animal Production. It is also the result of close and highly effective cooperation between the National Research Institute of Animal Production, the beef cattle breeding community and the Polish Association of Beef Cattle Breeders and Producers, aimed at developing modern tools to support the genetic improvement of beef cattle in Poland.