Genomic selection refers to breeding selection decisions based on genomic breeding values. The discovery of thousands of DNA markers plus the development of predicted breeding values based on marker data has allowed for accurate genomic selection of dairy sires by AI centers. A reduction in generation interval translates into more rapid genetic progress.
Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 18, 2018. Link.
Selecting dairy sires for use in AI has shifted from progeny testing to genomic predictions of milk production, fertility and health traits. With genomic selection, the sire and dam of a next generation sire are selected on the basis of DNA marker profiles and mated soon after puberty. The next generation sire is marker-analyzed for desirable and undesirable traits as an in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryo or shortly after birth.
INSIGHTS: If nothing else, this article answers the why questions some producers still have about AI and genomics. It might have been titled, “How to make a better cow faster.” One must wonder how the bulls feel however since they seldom get to date a cow.