The livestock industries in Canada underwent significant change in the first half of the 1990's. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) decided to discontinue its livestock recording and genetic evaluation services to all livestock species. AAFC offered a gradual changeover plan to each of dairy, beef, swine, and sheep over a three year period. At the end of three years, each industry was to be self-sufficient in financing. Some computer hardware and people from AAFC were made available to the species groups as well. Each species took advantage of this offer.