Breeding technologies
[Breeding technologies are... ]
Animal Identification and Data Recording
Breeding Organisations work to identify animals without errors, to keep accurate records, and to improve data recording. Animal identification and trait recording are fundamental for all breeding programmes. The recording can be done within a breeding unit or organised as field recording. Recording of phenotypic data is the major driving force for genetic progress. This genetic progress is very much dependent on the accuracy of the data.
Breeding Organisations work to identify animals without errors, to keep accurate records, and to improve data recording. Animal identification and trait recording are fundamental for all breeding programmes. The recording can be done within a breeding unit or organised as field recording. Recording of phenotypic data is the major driving force for genetic progress. This genetic progress is very much dependent on the accuracy of the data.
Conventional Breeding
In many species, the selection candidates' own performance and the performance of their relatives are measured for several traits. Statistical methods are used to estimate breeding values from these data. A combination of breeding values for several traits can be pooled into a selection index, and the animal with the best index are selected from breeding. In some species, where it is difficult or expensive to control matings and therefore to identify relatives, selection can be based on an individual's own performance only (mass selection).
In many species, the selection candidates' own performance and the performance of their relatives are measured for several traits. Statistical methods are used to estimate breeding values from these data. A combination of breeding values for several traits can be pooled into a selection index, and the animal with the best index are selected from breeding. In some species, where it is difficult or expensive to control matings and therefore to identify relatives, selection can be based on an individual's own performance only (mass selection).
Genomics
Genomics is a new field of knowledge from which a new type of application has resulted: genome wide selection. Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) and genome wide selection make use of the molecular description information of the animal. When genes and markers are known, they can help to identify animals with the best breeding values. Genomics will not replace traditional breeding, but provides valuable additional information to enhance the accuracy of selection. Genome wide selection is used successfully to identify animals that carry genetic defects, and for timely detection of good breeding candidates on traits that can only be measured later in life or via relatives.
Genomics is a new field of knowledge from which a new type of application has resulted: genome wide selection. Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) and genome wide selection make use of the molecular description information of the animal. When genes and markers are known, they can help to identify animals with the best breeding values. Genomics will not replace traditional breeding, but provides valuable additional information to enhance the accuracy of selection. Genome wide selection is used successfully to identify animals that carry genetic defects, and for timely detection of good breeding candidates on traits that can only be measured later in life or via relatives.
Transgenesis
Transgenesis is a new technology that is currently not being used by Breeding Organisations. This is partly for technological and economic reasons, and partly because there is no public approval of such developments at present.
Transgenesis is a new technology that is currently not being used by Breeding Organisations. This is partly for technological and economic reasons, and partly because there is no public approval of such developments at present.
Challenge Tests
In order to improve disease resistance or robustness of many animals, it may be necessary to apply challenge tests where a relatively small number of animals is put under stressful conditions to identify individuals with the desired features or, preferably, to develop MAS technology, so that genetically more robust or resistant animals can be selected for breeding.
In order to improve disease resistance or robustness of many animals, it may be necessary to apply challenge tests where a relatively small number of animals is put under stressful conditions to identify individuals with the desired features or, preferably, to develop MAS technology, so that genetically more robust or resistant animals can be selected for breeding.
To develop new breeding technologies and improve current breeding technologies, research is needed. Research contributes to the future of farm animal breeding and Europe's position in the world. |