Discover how genomic selection is revolutionizing the US dairy industry, doubling genetic gain and enhancing cattle traits. Curious about the science behind it? Dive in.
Can you believe it? The genomic selection program for dairy cattle in the United States has helped double the rate of genetic gain. It’s incredible to think that since 2010, the average annual increase in net merit has leaped from $40 in the preceding 5 years to a hefty $85. It’s clear that significant strides have been made in boosting the genetic quality of dairy cattle.
A Surge in Genotypes: Domestic and International
And we’re not just seeing growth within the US borders either. Domestically and internationally, the number of genotypes is propelling upwards, crossing an impressive milestone of over 6.5 million in 2022 – with a whopping 1,134,593 being submitted in just 2021 alone. This increase is a testament to the burgeoning field of genomics globally.
Evaluating Over 50 Traits
Evaluations are thorough and cover astonishingly – over 50 traits. In a bid to present the economic value of selection candidates more accurately, diverse traits such as feed efficiency (residual feed intake), heifer and cow livability, age at first calving, six health traits, and gestation length have been incorporated in recent years. That’s not it, ground-breaking research is underway to formulate evaluations for hoof health. Trust us, the future is here!
Blended Evaluations and Breed Composition
Ever pondered over crossbreeds? In April 2019, evaluations were expanded to encapsulate them as well. To support this initiative, initial evaluations are computed on an all-breed base and then synthesized by an estimated breed composition. Intriguingly, for animals that are less than 90% of a single breed, evaluations are determined by weighting contributions of each of the five major dairy breeds – Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, and Jersey – by the breed proportion. By July 2022, nearly 200,000 animals had received blended evaluations.
Note: Pedigree is strengthened by employing haplotype matching as a tool to discover maternal grandsires and great-grandsires. A similar method is used to detect undesired recessive conditions.
Haplotype Analysis and Undesirable Recessive Conditions
Often, the causative variant has been identified, considerably enhancing the precision of determinations for the current 27 reported conditions. Recent adverse findings include neuropathy with splayed forelimbs in Jerseys, early embryonic death in Holsteins, and curly calves in Ayrshires.
Future Advancements and Cooperation
The journey doesn’t halt here. There are ongoing efforts to use sequence data to identify more informative single nucleotide polymorphisms and incorporate previously discovered ones. The expected adoption of genotyping by sequencing will likely enhance flexibility in marker selection.
The success of this program, spearheaded by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, is a blend of diligent efforts from the industry and research groups, including the US Department of Agriculture, various breed associations, genotyping labs, and artificial insemination organizations. One triumph at a time: we’re making the dairy industry better, stronger, and efficient!
The Bottom Line
Putting all the pieces together, it’s evident that genomic selection in dairy cattle is shaping the future of the dairy industry in the United States. With every passing year, the program continues to make ground-breaking strides. The program has effectively advanced the economic value of selection candidates by cataloging and analyzing an expanding range of traits, discovering undesirable recessive conditions, catering to diverse breeds, and deploying advanced techniques for rapid data processing. Not only does genomic selection significantly boost genetic gain, but it also cultivates a more sustainable and efficient dairy industry. We can imagine with excitement the time when more novel innovations, such as genotyping by sequencing, become commonplace, further propelling this industry into a future marked by precision, efficiency, and sustainability.
Key Takeaways:
- Genomic selection in dairy cattle breeding is revolutionizing the dairy industry in the United States, offering more precise and efficient ways of identifying and selecting cattle with desirable traits. This can result in significant economic benefits, increased productivity, and enhanced sustainability.
- Aiding the process of faster genetic gain, genomic selection accelerates the rates of improvement in both production traits and fitness traits. This allows the dairy industry to keep pace with increasing consumer demand while maintaining high standards of health and welfare for the cattle.
- The versatility of the genomic selection program accommodates diversity in breeds and assists in identifying undesirable recessive conditions, ensuring that the full genetic potential of the herd is unlocked. It is thereby instrumental in both herd management decisions and the prognosis of genetic conditions.
- The imminent adoption of genotyping by sequencing will add another layer to the robust framework of the genomic selection program. This can further simplify marker selection and allow for more flexible, streamlined operations in the dairy business.
- Educating producers about the value and operationalizing aspects of genomic selection can heighten the benefits. This education can focus on elements such as managing inbreeding levels, enhancing knowledge about the use of genomics, and understanding genetic improvement and diversity in the genomic selection era.
Aren’t you excited by the compelling advances of genomic selection in dairy cattle breeding? By leveraging this innovative approach, you have the power to boost productivity, reduce unwanted traits, and enhance the overall merit of your herd. Increasing breed diversity, combating genetic conditions, and streamlining operations are just a stone’s throw away. What are you waiting for? Start your journey now and unlock the unlimited possibilities genomic selection in your dairy operation can offer!
