The Predictive Power of Genomic Information
Genomic evaluations were published for the first time by USDA-Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory with the January 2009 sire summary for both proven and unproven Jersey sires. Now that we have experienced a summary with the additional data, let’s take a look at the predictive power of genomic information.
The Genomic Advantage
The main advantage that genomic evaluations brought to the table is improved accuracy of PTA or PA values for young bulls. The new genomic evaluations for the Jersey breed provide reliabilities that are 12 percent higher on average than the reliabilities associated with traditional PAs or PTAs. Gains for the 22 health, type and yield traits that were evaluated ranged from 1 to 41 percent, with the largest gains for fat (36%) and protein percentages (29%) and udder depth (20%).
It should be noted that genomic evaluations for Jersey bulls with high reliabilities (99%) are highly correlated with traditional evaluations. As second crop daughters of any proven sire begin to dominate the sire’s genetic evaluation, the genomic component of the official evaluation becomes quite minimal.
Leading the Industry
Select Sires, always on the forefront of new technology, has been utilizing DNA-markers as part of the sire selection and development process since 2006. Utilizing the IGENITY® comprehensive profile gave Select a three-year sire selection head start within the industry.
With increased reliabilities for younger sires, should I be using more of them in my breeding program?
At this time young sire use will still have a gamble associated with it, but to a much lesser degree than in the past. While the addition of genomic data to a sire’s summary greatly enhances the decision making process, it is not a replacement for a young sire proving program. The Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™) remains the industry standard for gathering daughter information in herds throughout the country. Genomic data will affect which bulls are ultimately sampled through the PGA, but it will take our industry-leading sampling program to bring you breed-leading, proven graduates with the high reliability that you have come to expect. Select’s PGA graduates will offer the best of both worlds - real daughter data with the contribution of genomic information. Rest assured the graduates of the PGA will remain the gold standard to which all genetic progress is measured. The bottom line is, the addition of genomic data provides more information and sire summaries with reliability that is higher than ever before, helping us achieve our mission of enhancing the productivity and profitability of your herd!
| Reliability Gains for Genomic Evaluations for Jerseys |
| Fat % |
+36 |
| Protein % |
+29 |
| Udder Depth |
+20 |
| Fat Yield |
+11 |
| Foot Angle |
+11 |
| Stature |
+9 |
| Net Merit |
+8 |
| Productive Life |
+7 |
| Daughter Pregnancy Rate |
+7 |
| Milk Yield |
+6 |
| Somatic Cell Score |
+3 |
| Final Score |
+2 |
| Protein Yield |
+2 |
®IGENITY is a registered trademark of Merial, Duluth, Ga;
TMProgram for Genetic Advancement and PGA are trademarks of Select Sires Inc.
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