Benefits genomic selection

What are the benefits of genomic selection?

Genomic selection enables breeding value to be estimated more reliably (cf. “From SNPs to breeding values”) in particular for young animals. Over 70% reliability for calves is possible today. This corresponds to milk in a progeny test with around 25 daughters.

Thanks to a more reliable breeding value

• Breeding animals can be selected with more certainty
• Selection decisions can be made much earlier
• Breeding progress can proceed more quickly

This higher level of reliability and certainty is not restricted to performance traits. All traits benefit from genomic selection and in which the relationship to the SNPs can be developed. Functional traits in particular (longevity, health, etc) are already benefiting considerably from this new technology.

In principle, with reliable genomic breeding values of 70% and more, the question must be asked whether the expensive progeny testing of AI-bulls (costs of over CHF 40,000 per bull) could not be totally eliminated. This would indeed signify a huge cost saving.

However, some type of progeny testing will still be necessary, because

• Genomic selection must still prove itself further. 
• For many breeders 70% reliability is not sufficient 
• Traditional breeding values will continue to be required so that the bases of genomic selection (relationships between the SNPs and the traits of interest) can be maintained

In the meantime the type of progeny testing has been adapted to the new technology in many countries. 

Summary

Genomic selection delivers – and in particular for young animals – more reliable breeding values and therefore a more reliable breeding progress per year along with a considerable cost saving potential.