ARE TODAY’S DAIRY CATTLE BREEDING PROGRAMS SUITABLE FOR TOMORROW’S PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS?

1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. McALLISTER
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Breeding Program ◽  
Genetic Trend ◽  
Genetic Progress ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Holstein Breed ◽  
Dairy Cattle Breeding ◽  
National Production

In the last decade the dairy cattle population has declined to a level of 1.9 million cows in 1978 with about 56% of these cows bred AI and nearly 20% of the population enrolled in a supervised milk recording program. The decline in cow numbers has been accompanied by an increase in herd size and production per cow. The current breeding program of the dairy industry is a composite of breeding decisions made by AI organizations, breeders who produce young bulls for sampling and all dairymen who choose the sires and dams of their replacement heifers. Estimates of genetic trend from 1958–1975 for milk production in the national milk recorded herd range from 21 to 55 kg per year for the four dairy breeds with Holsteins being 41 kg per year. Both differential use of superior proven sires and improved genetic merit of young bulls entering AI studs contribute to this genetic improvement. Various national production and marketing alternatives were examined. Selection is a major breeding tool in establishing a breeding program to meet national production requirements for milk and milk products once the selection goal is defined. AI and young sire sampling programs will continue to be the primary vehicle for genetic improvement through selection regardless of the selection goal. The current resources of milk-recorded cows bred AI is not being fully utilized to achieve maximum genetic progress possible from young sire sampling indicate that the number of young bulls sampled annually in the Holstein breed could be tripled with the existing milk-recorded and AI bred dairy cow population. Expanded milk recording and AI breeding levels could increase the potential for even further genetic improvement. The potential impact of selection for other traits, crossbreeding and the use of embryo transfer of future breeding programs is highlighted.

Dairy genetic improvement through artificial insemination, performance recording and genetic evaluation

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Van Doormaal ◽  
G. J. Kistemaker
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Genetic Evaluation ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Genetic Progress ◽  
Genetic Gains ◽  
Holstein Breed ◽  
The Past ◽  
Genetic Evaluations

Artificial insemination (AI) of dairy cattle in Canada was started more than half a century ago and today it is estimated that at least 75% of all dairy cattle nationally are bred using this common reproductive technology. A Best Linear Unbiased Prediction sire model for estimating genetic evaluations for production traits was introduced in 1975. The combination of extensive use of AI with genetic evaluations for bulls and cows has resulted in significant phenotypic and genetic gains over the past 20 yr. In the Holstein breed, mature equivalent yields have increased by an average of 200 kg milk, 7.0 kg fat and 6.3 kg protein per year since 1980. Genetically, the relative emphasis realized for production traits versus overall type during the past 5 yr has followed the 60:40 breeding goal represented in the Lifetime Profit Index, which has increased at an average rate of 0.28 standard units per year. Examination of the generation interval in the Canadian Holstein breed, associated with each of the four pathways for genetic improvement, indicates a 46% increase in the rate of annual genetic gain today compared to 20 yr ago. The increased accuracy and intensity of selection associated with the use of AI and genetic evaluations have also contributed to the rates of phenotypic and genetic progress achieved over the years. In the future , AI will continue to be a critical component of the genetic gains possible in dairy cattle breeding but it will be complemented by other reproductive technologies aimed at further reducing generation intervals and increasing the accuracy and selection of intensity, especially on the female side. Key words: Dairy cattle, artificial insemination, genetic progress, genetic evaluation

scholarly journals Genomic Analysis, Progress and Future Perspectives in Dairy Cattle Selection: A Review

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 599
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Gutierrez-Reinoso ◽  
Pedro M. Aponte ◽  
Manuel Garcia-Herreros
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Progeny Testing ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Genetic Progress ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Selection Of

Genomics comprises a set of current and valuable technologies implemented as selection tools in dairy cattle commercial breeding programs. The intensive progeny testing for production and reproductive traits based on genomic breeding values (GEBVs) has been crucial to increasing dairy cattle productivity. The knowledge of key genes and haplotypes, including their regulation mechanisms, as markers for productivity traits, may improve the strategies on the present and future for dairy cattle selection. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) such as quantitative trait loci (QTL), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), or single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) methods have already been included in global dairy programs for the estimation of marker-assisted selection-derived effects. The increase in genetic progress based on genomic predicting accuracy has also contributed to the understanding of genetic effects in dairy cattle offspring. However, the crossing within inbred-lines critically increased homozygosis with accumulated negative effects of inbreeding like a decline in reproductive performance. Thus, inaccurate-biased estimations based on empirical-conventional models of dairy production systems face an increased risk of providing suboptimal results derived from errors in the selection of candidates of high genetic merit-based just on low-heritability phenotypic traits. This extends the generation intervals and increases costs due to the significant reduction of genetic gains. The remarkable progress of genomic prediction increases the accurate selection of superior candidates. The scope of the present review is to summarize and discuss the advances and challenges of genomic tools for dairy cattle selection for optimizing breeding programs and controlling negative inbreeding depression effects on productivity and consequently, achieving economic-effective advances in food production efficiency. Particular attention is given to the potential genomic selection-derived results to facilitate precision management on modern dairy farms, including an overview of novel genome editing methodologies as perspectives toward the future.

scholarly journals Genomic Selection for Any Dairy Breeding Program via Optimized Investment in Phenotyping and Genotyping

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Obšteter ◽  
Janez Jenko ◽  
Gregor Gorjanc
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Selection ◽  
Genetic Gain ◽  
Breeding Program ◽  
Progeny Testing ◽  
Initial Training ◽  
Training Population ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Dairy Cattle Breeding ◽  
Close Relatives

This paper evaluates the potential of maximizing genetic gain in dairy cattle breeding by optimizing investment into phenotyping and genotyping. Conventional breeding focuses on phenotyping selection candidates or their close relatives to maximize selection accuracy for breeders and quality assurance for producers. Genomic selection decoupled phenotyping and selection and through this increased genetic gain per year compared to the conventional selection. Although genomic selection is established in well-resourced breeding programs, small populations and developing countries still struggle with the implementation. The main issues include the lack of training animals and lack of financial resources. To address this, we simulated a case-study of a small dairy population with a number of scenarios with equal available resources yet varied use of resources for phenotyping and genotyping. The conventional progeny testing scenario collected 11 phenotypic records per lactation. In genomic selection scenarios, we reduced phenotyping to between 10 and 1 phenotypic records per lactation and invested the saved resources into genotyping. We tested these scenarios at different relative prices of phenotyping to genotyping and with or without an initial training population for genomic selection. Reallocating a part of phenotyping resources for repeated milk records to genotyping increased genetic gain compared to the conventional selection scenario regardless of the amount and relative cost of phenotyping, and the availability of an initial training population. Genetic gain increased by increasing genotyping, despite reduced phenotyping. High-genotyping scenarios even saved resources. Genomic selection scenarios expectedly increased accuracy for young non-phenotyped candidate males and females, but also proven females. This study shows that breeding programs should optimize investment into phenotyping and genotyping to maximize return on investment. Our results suggest that any dairy breeding program using conventional progeny testing with repeated milk records can implement genomic selection without increasing the level of investment.

scholarly journals Evaluation of breeding bulls based on quality of offspring considering crossing options

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 452-463
Author(s):  
M. V. Abramova ◽  
S. V. Zyryanova
Keyword(s):  
High Reliability ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Milk Productivity ◽  
Cattle Breeding ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Holstein Breed ◽  
Genetic Potential ◽  
Dairy Cattle Breeding ◽  
Holstein Bulls

Breeding takes the main place in the complex of measures for intensification of dairy cattle breeding. A characteristic feature of breeding work is identification of the most valuable genotypes and their further use in cattle population. The Holstein breed is considered one of the most highly productive breeds, in many countries of the world it is used for the genetic improvement of local breeds. In this regard, a comparative assessment of methods for determining the breeding value of bulls of different genotypes obtained by interbreeding is relevant. The results of assessment of genetic superiority of the used breeding bulls in terms of milk productivity of daughters for the first lactation through interannual deviations of the homogeneous peers are presented, the best producers in all the studied herds are identified, it is established which breeds the best and worst breeding bulls belong to. The research revealed that 18% of bulls had genetic superiority at controlled farms (9% - Holstein breed, 6% - Yaroslavl crossbreeding bulls, 3% - Mikhailovsky type’s bulls), a negative value - 24% including 9% - Yaroslavl crossbreeding bulls, 9% - Mikhailovsky type’s bulls and 6% - Holstein bulls. A comparative evaluation of the two methods showed a high reliable positive correlation between results of Mikhailovsky type bulls and Yaroslavl crossbreeding bulls equal to 0.82 and 0.56, respectively, which indicates a high reliability of the method of genetic superiority index, which can be used to evaluate bulls during crossbreeding. It is possible to increase the genetic potential of herds by excluding producers with a negative genetic index. The obtained results are recommended to be used when mating bulls and for development of breeding programs for individual herds or entire population

A new genetic evaluation system for pedigree beef cattle in great britain

1992 ◽  
Vol 1992 ◽  
pp. 200-200
Author(s):  
J.G.E. Bryan ◽  
N.R. Wray ◽  
R. Crump ◽  
D.G. Nicholson ◽  
R. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Genetic Progress ◽  
Selection Decisions ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Beef Herd ◽  
Analysis Of Performance

The need to speed up the rate of genetic progress in beef cattle, particularly in economically significant traits such as growth and carcase merit has always been recognised by the Meat and Livestock Commission. This is achieved through the Beefbreeder Pedigree Recording Service which records over 1,000 pedigree herds in Great Britain. Traditionally, analysis of performance records from pedigree herds has been carried out using within herd contemporary comparisons.Average pedigree beef herd size in Great Britain is typically less than 20 cows which limits accuracy and scope for genetic improvement when making within herd selection decisions.

Generation intervals in Canadian dairy cattle herds

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-183
Author(s):  
Bernard Ato Hagan ◽  
Roger Cue
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Path Selection ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Genetic Progress ◽  
Brown Swiss ◽  
Holstein Breed ◽  
Cattle Herds

Genetic evaluation records for the Canadian Holstein, Ayrshire, Jersey, and Brown Swiss bulls and cows born from 1950 and 1960, respectively, were used to study the generation intervals (L) along the four-path selection model. The objectives of the study were to determine the L in the four dairy cattle breeds and the effects of some environmental factors and variations among herds or artificial insemination (AI) studs on the L achieved. Total L of the four selection paths was reduced by 55% from 29.2 yr in 1980 to 13.2 yr in 2016 in the Holstein breed. Substantial reductions in total L were also observed in the Ayrshire, Jersey, and Brown Swiss populations between 1980 and 2016. Unlike progeny year of birth, housing system, agricultural region in Québec (region) — as well as their interaction — were not important on realised L of sires and dams used on Canadian dairy farms. There were significant variations among herds and AI studs on the age of sires and dams used for breeding. The considerable variations in realised L among herds and AI studs offer opportunities to increase the annual rate of genetic progress in the four Canadian dairy cattle populations.

scholarly journals Genetic Progress in Multistage Dairy Cattle Breeding Schemes Using Genetic Markers

2005 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 1569-1581 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Schrooten ◽  
H. Bovenhuis ◽  
J.A.M. van Arendonk ◽  
P. Bijma
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Genetic Markers ◽  
Genetic Progress ◽  
Cattle Breeding ◽  
Dairy Cattle Breeding ◽  
Breeding Schemes

scholarly journals A multi-part strategy for introgression of exotic germplasm into elite plant breeding programs using genomic selection

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene S. Breider ◽  
R. Chris Gaynor ◽  
Gregor Gorjanc ◽  
Steve Thorn ◽  
Manish K. Pandey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Plant Breeding ◽  
Genomic Selection ◽  
Genetic Gain ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Breeding Strategy ◽  
Breeding Program ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Polygenic Inheritance ◽  
Polygenic Traits

Abstract Some of the most economically important traits in plant breeding show highly polygenic inheritance. Genetic variation is a key determinant of the rates of genetic improvement in selective breeding programs. Rapid progress in genetic improvement comes at the cost of a rapid loss of genetic variation. Germplasm available through expired Plant Variety Protection (exPVP) lines is a potential resource of variation previously lost in elite breeding programs. Introgression for polygenic traits is challenging, as many genes have a small effect on the trait of interest. Here we propose a way to overcome these challenges with a multi-part pre-breeding program that has feedback pathways to optimise recurrent genomic selection. The multi-part breeding program consists of three components, namely a bridging component, population improvement, and product development. Parameters influencing the multi-part program were optimised with the use of a grid search. Haploblock effect and origin were investigated. Results showed that the introgression of exPVP germplasm using an optimised multi-part breeding strategy resulted in 1.53 times higher genetic gain compared to a two-part breeding program. Higher gain was achieved through reducing the performance gap between exPVP and elite germplasm and breaking down linkage drag. Both first and subsequent introgression events showed to be successful. In conclusion, the multi-part breeding strategy has a potential to improve long-term genetic gain for polygenic traits and therefore, potential to contribute to global food security.

scholarly journals Invited review: Reproductive and genomic technologies to optimize breeding strategies for genetic progress in dairy cattle

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Fleming ◽  
Emhimad A. Abdalla ◽  
Christian Maltecca ◽  
Christine F. Baes
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Milk Production Traits ◽  
Genetic Progress ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
The Past ◽  
Genomic Technologies ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Cattle Breeders ◽  
The Many

Abstract. Dairy cattle breeders have exploited technological advances that have emerged in the past in regards to reproduction and genomics. The implementation of such technologies in routine breeding programs has permitted genetic gains in traditional milk production traits as well as, more recently, in low-heritability traits like health and fertility. As demand for dairy products increases, it is important for dairy breeders to optimize the use of available technologies and to consider the many emerging technologies that are currently being investigated in various fields. Here we review a number of technologies that have helped shape dairy breeding programs in the past and present, along with those potentially forthcoming. These tools have materialized in the areas of reproduction, genotyping and sequencing, genetic modification, and epigenetics. Although many of these technologies bring encouraging opportunities for genetic improvement of dairy cattle populations, their applications and benefits need to be weighed with their impacts on economics, genetic diversity, and society.

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