During the last decade, industry, research and funding organisations have made considerable investments into the development of molecular genetic technologies and resources, with the expectation that information at the DNA level will lead to faster genetic gain than using phenotypic data alone. But as long as we are lacking the strategies and tools for utilising DNA data in large-scale practical breeding programs, these investments will not result in a competitive advantage.
The recent dramatic reductions in DNA marker genotyping, to as low as 0.06 NOK/genotype, make the resolving of this deficiency urgent.
This project seeks to make best use of DNA data in commercial breeding schemes across the species of cattle, pigs and salmon.
Firstly, based on previous research, practical software tools will be developed that incorporate the information from genome-wide dense marker genotyping into the estimation of breeding values, and selection for such breeding values is called genome-wide selection (GWS).
Secondly, GWS selection steps will be designed for the current breeding schemes.
Thirdly, since the use of DNA information radically changes the way we select, completely new breeding strategies will be designed that are tailored to GWS.
Fourthly, the best use of DNA information will be implemented in the breeding schemes for cattle, pigs and salmon.
Genome-wide selection has the potential to:
- Reduce the costs of the breeding scheme
- To further the Norwegian tradition of selection for broad breeding goals by removing some limitations of traditional selection
- To increase rates of genetic improvement by a higher selection accuracy and speed of turning over generations
In view of these wide-ranging opportunities, the breeding organisations foresee that an effective use of DNA information will be essential in future breeding schemes to secure their competitive position.
