445. Simulation of animal crossbreeding schemes using ADAM software

Abstract

ADAM software is a stochastic simulation tool intended to model a variety of selective breeding schemes for animals and plants. ADAM can be used to generate genetic data to test statistical tools and the implemented algorithms can evaluate breeding schemes by tracing genetic change under different selective breeding scenarios. In practice, crossbreeding has been used extensively in beef cattle, pig, and poultry production systems, and the use of crossbreeding is increasing in dairy cattle breeding system due to changes in the dairy market. The aim of this paper was to present a new crossbreeding feature of the ADAM software. The software was updated to include multiple purebred populations and crossbred populations in animals with different genetic backgrounds considering both additive and dominance effects. Our simulated results showed that, by using the new features in ADAM, breeding organizations can optimize their design of crossbreeding schemes and, thereby, optimize profitability.