124 High-throughput, digital platforms and potential impact on genetic improvement in pork production

Abstract

Abstract The application of high-throughput phenotyping technologies in a pig breeding program has the potential for accelerating genetic trends in pig breeding, ultimately improving the efficiency of commercial pork production. Over the past 40 years, dramatic and economically-relevant genetic progress has been achieved in commercial pig performance using easily measured traits in large breeding populations. Within the last 10 years, advancement in genotyping strategies and application of genomic selection has accelerated rates of genetic gain by at least 35% compared to historical trends. Developing digital platforms provide the opportunity to explore new phenotypes, transition measurements from subjective to objective, and deepen the understanding of trait complexes such as animal behavior. For existing historical and routinely measured traits such as body weight which may have single-time point measurements, these platforms have potential to improve measurement accuracy by facilitating numerous repeated measurements. Therefore, these platforms can improve genetic progress by their impact on the breeder’s equation through improving accuracy and the possible underlying genetic variance. Consequently, existing statistical models used for genetic improvement will have to transform to accommodate the addition of these phenotypes if they are to provide commercial-level pork production improvements.