Abstract

This study investigates the commercial benefit of including information on an identified major gene in the estimation of breeding values for a breeding nucleus. Two types of selection (dynamic selection to maximise response with controlled inbreeding versus standard truncation selection) and two types of breeding value estimation (using versus ignoring information on a major gene) were compared over 15 generations. Selection strategies based on dynamic rules were commercially superior to strategies using truncation selection under comparable circumstances. Correction of the breeding values of selection candidates for the major gene resulted in extra genotype testing but was commercially superior to ignoring the major gene unless only small numbers of commercial males were sold. Small commercial breeding schemes adopting major gene selection will benefit from the application of selection algorithms that control inbreeding.

PR, Amer, and B Villanueva

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 60, Hamilton, 41-43, 2000