Polled Accelerator – a unique application of genomic technologies to address a beef breeding challenge

Abstract

<p>Genetic improvement requires selection for all traits in the breeding objective and increasingly this includes consideration of traits associated with animal welfare and social licence. A unique program called the 'Polled Accelerator' was developed for a large beef cattle population to rapidly increase the frequency of polledness. The program was constructed using a unique combination of existing and emerging genomic technologies and methods including DNA tests for polled/horn and Pompe's disease, DNA sire assignment, genomic breed composition, imputation and single-step genomic evaluation. Phenotypically polled young males were harvested from the commercial tier and through the program, high genetic merit polled animals were eligible for promotion to the multiplier and nucleus tiers of the breeding program. The application of multiple genomic technologies will allow the rapid introgression of polledness into this population without compromising the composite breed composition, breeding program structure, future genetic progress or genetic diversity.</p>