Project Number: 5438-31000-090-02
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 01, 2012
End Date: Sep 30, 2013

Objective:
Improve the genetic merit of beef cattle and sheep by increasing the accuracy of selection through integration of quantitative genetic and genomic information into genetic evaluation systems.

Approach:
Scientists at the USMARC use large populations of beef cattle and sheep to collect phenotypic data on a broad range of traits affecting efficiency of life-cycle production. Many animals have also been genotyped for thousands of genetic markers. Consequently, extensive volumes of quantitative and genomic data are available to test for associations between genomic variation and economically important traits. Existing experimental data will be analyzed to estimate genetic effects necessary to integrate quantitative and genomic information into genetic evaluation procedures. The expected outcome is increased accuracy of selection leading to more rapid development of populations.