Tactical approach to phenotyping and genotyping

Summary

Phenotypic data – records of the measurements of animals for traits of interest – is the raw material for genetic evaluation and hence genetic improvement.

o date, the question of which animals to record or measure has been relatively unimportant, since for animals to get estimates of their genetic merit (EBV) from BREEDPLAN or Sheep Genetics, they have had to have a record for each trait for which an EBV is sought. However, this situation changes with the use of genomics technology. The value of information differs between animals but limited methodology exists to optimise which animals specifically should be measured or genotyped. The researchers have previously developed concept tools for optimal selection of which animals to breed to maximise genetic improvement as part of a broader project funded by ARC "Methods to infer dense genomic information from sparsely genotyped populations".

In this research, the concept tools will be extended to much larger active animal breeding populations, to multiple traits, and to be applicable at the level of the individual animal – to answer the question "should this animal be recorded for trait(s) X, and should it be genotyped, and if so, at what snp density?".

The objective of this project is to provide more general methodology and a tool for breeders to maximise the efficiency of investment in phenotype measurement and genotyping in order to obtain the highest rate of genetic improvement under financial and practical constraints. The tool will determine the optimal set of animals to be subjected to phenotype measurement and genotyping, taking into account inbreeding, relatedness, family size and merit.