Abstract
Records on groups of individuals could be valuable for predicting breeding values when a trait is difficult or costly to measure on single individuals, such as feed intake and egg production. Adding genomic information has shown improvement in the accuracy of genetic evaluation of quantitative traits with individual records. Here, we investigated the value of genomic information for traits with group records. Besides, we investigated the improvement in accuracy of genetic evaluation for group-recorded traits when including information on a correlated trait with individual records. The study was based on a simulated pig population, including three scenarios of group structure and size. The results showed that both the genomic information and a correlated trait increased the accuracy of estimated breeding values (EBVs) for traits with group records. The accuracies of EBV obtained from group records with a size 24 were much lower than those with a size 12. Random assignment of animals to pens led to lower accuracy due to the weaker relationship between individuals within each group. It suggests that group records are valuable for genetic evaluation of a trait that is difficult to record on individuals, and the accuracy of genetic evaluation can be considerably increased using genomic information. Moreover, the genetic evaluation for a trait with group records can be greatly improved using a bivariate model, including correlated traits that are recorded individually. For efficient use of group records in genetic evaluation, relatively small group size and close relationships between individuals within one group are recommended.
Highlights
Group records could be valuable for predicting breeding values (BVs) when traits are difficult or costly to measure on individuals, such as egg production or feed intake
Our results indicate that a bivariate model, including a correlated trait with individual records, is a good approach to improve the accuracy of estimated breeding values (EBVs) for a trait with group records
We conclude that group records are valuable for genetic evaluation of a trait that is difficult to record individually
Summary
Group records could be valuable for predicting breeding values (BVs) when traits are difficult or costly to measure on individuals, such as egg production or feed intake.Associate editor: Sara KnottPrevious studies have shown negligible differences between the estimated variance components and considerable consistency in the ranking of BVs estimated from full-sib group records and from individual records for fish and laying hens (Nurgiartiningsih et al 2004; Simianer and Gjerde 1991). Olson et al (2006) proposed a model to use pooled records for predicting BVs of individuals in the group, and it was demonstrated that selection based on evaluations from group records can be very effective, when the group size is small. Su et al (2018) proposed a method that could appropriately handle multiple fixed and random effects (litter and pen effects) for estimation of variance components and prediction of BVs using group records with varying group sizes. Their results showed that the estimated variance components were consistent with those estimated from individual records, but with larger standard errors, and the accuracy of EBV from group records with size of 12 individuals reached up to 70% of the accuracy obtained from individual records.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
