Optimizing sheep breeding programs with genomic selection

Author(s)
Van Der Werf, Julius H
Horton, B J
Banks, Robert
Publication Date
2011
Abstract
We discuss genomic selection as a way to provide information on breeding values for traits that are difficult to select for. A brief review of genomic prediction methods shows that currently in sheep, genomic prediction requires selection candidates to be genetically related to a reference population although it allows information of more distantly related individuals to contribute to selection accuracy. Subsequently we discuss genomic selection in a sheep breeding program context and discuss possible ways to optimize genotyping strategies in a breeding nucleus. Genotyping a proportion of pre-selected young males saves costs without compromising genetic gain, making genotyping cost effective even at a high testing cost. When only counting expressions of genetic gain in two tiers, the optimal proportion of males genotyped becomes lower and genotyping becomes prohibitive if testing costs are above $100 per head, unless breeding males can be used in the first year.
Citation
Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics, v.19, p. 315-322
ISBN
9780646559155
ISSN
1328-3227
Link
Language
en
Publisher
Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG)
Title
Optimizing sheep breeding programs with genomic selection
Type of document
Conference Publication
Entity Type
Publication

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