Genomic selection across cattle breeds
Abstract
The term genomic selection relates to the use of a large number of molecular markers, genotyped with high throughput methods, for genetic evaluation of individual animals. The technology is being implemented for cattle. According to current knowledge, a large number of genotyped bulls with accurate breeding values based on progeny testing is required to develop reliable prediction equations. This excludes use of genomic selection in breeds with small population size. In this project we investigate the utility of high density chips with 600.000 markers per genotyped animal for use of phenotypic information across breeds. Regions of the genome with effects on breeding values in Fleckvieh, Brown Swiss, Pinzgauer and Tyrol Grey are characterized. The efficiency of the resulting prediction equations is checked in samples of bulls not involved in the construction of the equations. Prediction of breeding values including these markers will be developed for all traits involved in conventional genetic evaluation. Implementation will be encouraged if the methodology promises significant improvement, especially for functional traits with low heritability.
keywords cattle Genomic Selection SNP-Chip Brown Swiss cattle Pinzgauer cattle Tyrolian Grey cattle
Publikationen
Project staff
Johann Sölkner
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Johann Sölkner
johann.soelkner@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-93201, 93231
Project Leader
15.12.2009 - 30.06.2013