Rapid Method for Computing the Inverse of a Relationship Matrix

Abstract

The accuracy of prediction of breeding values can be improved by utilizing all relationships among animals to be evaluated. The inverse of the numerator relationship matrix is required for best prediction but is usually much too large to be computed by conventional inversion routines. A simple and rapid technique for finding this inverse directly from a list of sires and dams, bypassing computation of the matrix whose inverse is wanted, is presented.