In 1971, the UPRA Ile de France set up a modern, well-adapted selection structure, which is based on the different levels of tests (ancestry, individual and progeny) and on artificial insemination.

• The females are qualified on-farm on their maternal value (prolificacy and milk production). Among the ewes « Reconnues » (R) (R = pure pedigree ewe) the best 30 % are qualified as « ram dams » (MB), the following 25 % as « Female lamb dams » (MA).
• The males of a generation are sorted first of all on the qualities of their paternal and maternal ancestry, as well as on their individual morphology. The meat potential of the best 400 is assessed in an individual testing station (SCI)
• The best 25 of the SCI are tested on progeny (meat qualities of the male lambs produced, maternal qualities of the female lambs produced).
• According to the results, the best rams are qualified «  Améliorateurs (Improvers) » for meat qualities (AMBO), maternal qualities (AMEL), or both (ELITE).
• These improver animals are distributed by artificial insemination, and as a priority in matings with ewes qualified as « MB » in French flocks.

Each year, the products of these « reasoned matings » are, at about 110 days of age, admitted to the individual testing station (SCI), etc.

This strict programme gives a regular increase in genetic advance every year. The artificial insemination of at least 30 % of the females in the foundation stock enables direct distribution (AI) or indirect distribution (rams descended from improver parents or grandparents) of genetic improvement in France and throughout the World.

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