Economic benefit of using a major gene in a nucleus selection
programme with limits on inbreeding
P. Amer and B. Villanueva
AgResearch, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034,
Mosgiel
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
2000 60: 41-43
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.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
major gene; inbreeding; nucleus; net present value.
Last Updated 12-07-2000
