Which description would make the price go up or go down? Half Peruvian -Full Peruvian- Full Accoyo
Recently I made the decision to move my herd to all-Peruvian. Although my light breeding program had always operated within that guideline, my blacks (since I avoid browns and greys) had always been Chilean-Peruvian mixes. This earned me a rebuke from some of my breeder peers who object to the premium attached to Peruvian and especially Accoyo. I can understand their frustration. In fact, I agree with them. But I didn’t make the decision because I thought it would increase the breeding value of my animals. The decision is purely motivated by business reasons.
And here’s we arrive at the contradiction that can sometimes be found in comparing breeding value versus marketing value.
Fact: There absolutely is a market value premium attached to a Peruvian heritage.
Fact: There absolutely is a market value premium attached to full Accoyo.
Fact: There is little or no sense to attaching breeding value to either full Peruvian or full Accoyo, especially multiple generations removed from the original breeding program.
Fact: There is significant evidence to point to increased vigor through “hybrid” heritages e.g. mixing Chileans with Peruvians.
So I’m not disputing that a Bolivian or Chilean can have equal or greater breeding value than a full Peruvian. But I’m also not able to move the market with my tiny little microherd. So I make the decisions that suit my goals the best, both business and breeding. And isn’t that the prerogative we all enjoy as entrepreneurs and business owners?
