19: Breeding Programs

Question 1

Breeding programs aim to… (3)

Answer 1

generate genetic improvement in a population
exploit phenotypic and genetic variation
enhance competitiveness and sustainability

Question 2

Main components of genetic improvement?

Answer 2

Phenotypic variability and heritability

Question 3

Describe traditional breeding programs

Answer 3

Used pedigree and phenotype to predict animal BV

Question 4

How do we create faster annual rate of change (genetic progress)

Answer 4

Quicker performance of selection and production of next generation
Trait measurement, mating and breeding next gen takes time

Question 5

Describe modern breeding programs

Answer 5

Pedigree, phenotype and genotype used to estimate genomic enhanced breeding value (higher accuracy)

Question 6

What can we do now that we have genome sequencing of farm animals?

Answer 6

Use genotyping tools to estimate the effect of each SNP marker and its association with economically important traits (genomic selection)

Question 7

Seven steps of a breeding program*

Answer 7

1. Define production system
2. Define breeding goal
3. Collect information (phenotype, pedigree, genotypes)
4. Determine selection criteria (BV estimation)
5. Selection and mating
6. Dissemination
7. Evaluation (genetic improvement?)

Question 8

Three fundamental questions of genetic improvement

Answer 8

What is the species and system?
What are our objectives?
What trait will we measure?

Question 9

What is a breeding program/scheme

Answer 9

Program aiming at defined breeding objectives to produce the next generation of animals in a population

Question 10

Breeding programs are a combination of…

Answer 10

• recording selected traits
• estimation of BVs
• selection of potential parents
• mating program for selected parents (artificial repro methods)

Question 11

Questions on the production system that must be answered for a BP

Answer 11

• for what reason are the animals kept/raised
• important aspects of feeding and management
• how are the products and animals marketed
• is there already a breeding program in place

Question 12

What is a breeding objective/goal

Answer 12

Specification of what must be improved
Gives direction in which we want to improve pop
Notion of what constitutes the best animal

Question 13

What is aggregated genotype

Answer 13

Notion of what constitutes the best animal

Question 14

What is selection criteria

Answer 14

Phenotypic records (traits) that we measure on farm to achieve our breeding goals
Traits that can be systematically and accurately measured and are heritable

Question 15

Questions regarding selection criteria

Answer 15

• what can be measured
• what is the accuracy of the measurement
• how often can the trait be measured, at what age

Question 16

Describe where are we, where to go and how to get there

Answer 16

Where are we: animal and production system description

Where to go: breeding objectives

How to get there: trait measurement, estimation of BV, reproduction technology = selection, culling, mating

Question 17

The main components of a structured breeding program are…

Answer 17

a breeding goal with relevant traits, collection of performance data, analysis of the data for identification of superior animals, use of superior animals to produce next gen

Question 18

Breeding programs aim to improve _____ while reducing _____

Answer 18

Improve gross efficiency while reducing production costs

Question 19

Three ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs

Answer 19

1) improve productivity (higher yield/economic returns)
2) improve feed conversion and feed efficiency (less feed per kg of product = less cost)
3) improve reproduction, health and survivability (less replacement animals, less cost)

Question 20

There is increased attention towards _________________________________ to increase sustainability

Answer 20

improving animal welfare and reducing environmental impacts

Question 21

Key driver of all breeding programs

Answer 21

Profit = revenue - total costs

Question 22

Most economically important traits are…

Answer 22

polygenic (controlled by numerous genes located across the genome) and complex under strong E influence

Question 23

What is the Multi-trait Economic Selection Index

Answer 23

Involves the improvement of multiple traits simultaneously
Traits used as selection criteria to address the breeding goal based on their economic value and heritability

Question 24

Equation for the $ selection index

Answer 24

Slide 28

Question 25

After estimating the economic selection index, what happens?

Answer 25

Animals are ranked by $SI to determine the best aggregated genotypes