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Total cost estimation for implementing genome-enabled selection in a multi-level swine production system
Genetics Selection Evolution
  • Caitlyn E. Abell, Iowa State University
  • Jack C. Dekkers, Iowa State University
  • Max F. Rothschild, Iowa State University
  • John W. Mabry, Iowa State University
  • Kenneth J Stalder, Iowa State University
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
1-1-2014
DOI
10.1186/1297-9686-46-32
Abstract

Background: Determining an animal’s genetic merit using genomic information can improve estimated breeding value (EBV) accuracy; however, the magnitude of the accuracy improvement must be large enough to recover the costs associated with implementing genome-enabled selection. One way to reduce costs is to genotype nucleus herd selection candidates using a low-density chip and to use high-density chip genotyping for animals that are used as parents in the nucleus breeding herd. The objective of this study was to develop a tool to estimate the cost structure associated with incorporating genome-enabled selection into multi-level commercial breeding programs. Results: For the purpose of this deterministic study, it was assumed that a commercial pig is created from a terminal line sire and a dam that is a cross between two maternal lines. It was also assumed that all male and female selection candidates from the 1000 sow maternal line nucleus herds were genotyped at low density and all animals used for breeding at high density. With the assumptions used in this analysis, it was estimated that genome-enabled selection costs for a maternal line would be approximately US$0.082 per weaned pig in the commercial production system. A total of US$0.164 per weaned pig is needed to incorporate genome-enabled selection into the two maternal lines. Similarly, for a 600 sow terminal line nucleus herd and genotyping only male selection candidates with the low-density panel, the cost per weaned pig in the commercial herd was estimated to be US$0.044. This means that US$0.21 per weaned pig produced at the commercial level and sired by boars obtained from the nucleus herd breeding program needs to be added to the genetic merit value in order to break even on the additional cost required when genome-enabled selection is used in both maternal lines and the terminal line. Conclusions: By modifying the input values, such as herd size and genotyping strategy, a flexible spreadsheet tool developed from this work can be used to estimate the additional costs associated with genome-enabled selection. This tool will aid breeders in estimating the economic viability of incorporating genome-enabled selection into their specific breeding program.

Comments

This is an article from Genetics Selection Evolution 46 (2014): 1, doi:10.1186/1297-9686-46-32. Posted with permission.

Rights
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited.
Copyright Owner
Abell et al
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Caitlyn E. Abell, Jack C. Dekkers, Max F. Rothschild, John W. Mabry, et al.. "Total cost estimation for implementing genome-enabled selection in a multi-level swine production system" Genetics Selection Evolution Vol. 46 Iss. 32 (2014) p. 1 - 8
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kenneth_stalder/121/