Genetic improvement of beef cattle through opportunities in genomics

Abstract

Genomics will improve the efficiency of beef cattle genetic improvement programs through the incorporation of genomic predictions into traditional genetic evaluations. The global dairy cattle breeding industry has been changed considerably in the last year through the implementation of genomic selection. Now proven to work in dairy cattle breeding, the challenge remains for the beef industry to successfully implement this technology. The primary challenge in beef cattle is the required resource population that relates genomic profile to phenotypic performance, which is quite large and its establishment will require collaboration or a significant investment by any one enterprise. Another challenge in beef cattle is the requirement for genomic predictions to function across breeds, which will require denser marker panels. Opportunities to increase genetic progress include increased accuracy of selection, reduced generation interval, increased selection intensity and better utilization of limited recording capacity, such as individual feed intake, along with opportunities to genetically change novel traits. Implementation of a low density panel at the commercial level will allow informative decisions based on genetic potential at all levels of the production chain. This reduced panel will include predictive SNP based on fine QTL mapping efforts, combined with additional SNP to enable imputation of genotypes from a high density SNP panel, when combined with high density genotypes of key ancestors, such as sires. With electronic recording in cattle, a single genotyping event on each animal would provide information throughout the beef production chain, which will create the incentive for genetic change. Genomics will create new opportunities for reproductive technologies such as embryo transfer as elite females will be identified with increased accuracy. Potential changes to the structure of the breeding industry are discussed including changes to recording strategies and the development of novel beef products.

Genomic predictions for economically important traits in Brazilian Braford and Hereford beef cattle using true and imputed genotypes

“…genomic selection, GS [4]) can result in higher and faster genetic progress [4–6], by decreasing generation interval, increasing accuracy of selection and facilitating incorporation of novel traits of economic importance in the current breeding programs [4, 7, 8]. GS has changed considerably the dairy cattle breeding systems, especially young bulls testing, where some countries have currently partially or completely eliminated the traditional progeny testing [9], with a subsequent reduction in costs in breeding programs [10]. …”

Effect of IGF1, GH, and PIT1 markers on the genetic parameters of growth and reproduction traits in Canchim cattle

“…The EBV are of great importance for the selection process and are valuable tools for enhancing the annual genetic gain in traits of economic interest, especially for traits with moderate to high heritabilities. Currently, advances in molecular biology and in new methodologies to handle genomic information have been changing the genetic evaluation into genomic evaluation [2]. The genomic evaluation uses a high number of markers (e.g.…”

Value of genomics in breeding objectives for beef cattle

“…Fortunately, it appears that maternal and terminal breeding objectives may be positively correlated (Oschner, 2016) and thus, here, the value to a commercial producer using a maternal breeding objective would have been underestimated. It is also unknown the degree to which having genomically enhanced EBV as opposed to only phenotypic EBV affects the demand and, consequently, the prices paid for the bulls that a seedstock producer offers for sale (Miller, 2010).…”