Upgrading breeding value estimation in beef cattle

Ferenc Szabó,Berry Donagh,Károly Tempfli,Márton Szűcs

doi:10.34101/actaagrar/150/1740

Ferenc Szabó, Berry Donagh + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.34101/actaagrar/150/1740

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Abstract

This paper gives a summary of the possibility for applying genomic information for breeding value estimation in beef cattle breeding. This process is called genomic prediction and is now widely used in dairy cattle globally as well as in some beef and sheep populations. The advantage of genomic prediction is a more accurate estimate of the genetic merit of an individual at a young age thereby facilitating greater annual genetic gain, predominantly through shorter generation intervals. Genomic predictions are more advantageous for sex-linked (e.g., milk yield), low heritability (e.g., fertility) and difficult-to-measure (e.g., feed intake) traits. The larger the reference population, on average, the more accurate the genomic predictions; additionally, the closer genetically the reference population is to the candidate population, the greater the accuracy of genomic predictions. Research is continuing on strategies to generate accurate genomic predictions using a reference population consisting of multiple breeds (and crossbred). Retrospective analysis of real-life data where genomic predictions have been operation for several years clearly shows a benefit of this technology.

Highlights

A recent possibility to improve breeding value estimation and selection in beef cattle breeding is the use of genomic information
The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the developments that occurred over the past decades to lay the foundation for genomic prediction with special regard to application in Hungarian beef cattle breeding
The new technology called genomic evaluation and genomic selection will increase the reliability of genetic evaluations of cattle; the extent to which the reliability improves will depend on the number of animals with genotype and performance information available

Summary

Introduction

A recent possibility to improve breeding value estimation and selection in beef cattle breeding is the use of genomic information. Applying of genomic information in animal breeding is not new. Recent advancements in genomic technologies have facilitated the (low-cost) genotyping of animals for thousands of tiny DNA variants termed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Statistical methodology was developed (and is being refined) to simultaneously estimate the effect of these thousands of SNPs for a range of different performance traits. Large populations, termed reference populations, of animals with both DNA information (i.e., genotype) and performance information are required to estimate the SNP effects. The SNP genotype of a candidate animal times the SNP effect is used to calculate the breeding value of that candidate animal for that SNP; when summed across all SNPs, an overall breeding value, termed a direct genomic value, for that animal for that trait is derived. The direct genomic value is blended with pedigree information to produce a genomic (-enhanced) breeding value (GEBV)

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