Location: Stoneville, Mississippi
Project Number: 6066-10600-003-012-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 19, 2025
End Date: Sep 18, 2027
Objective:
The Cooperator will analyze performance and genomic data for catfish germplasm being developed in the Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit (WARU) breeding program and provide genomic breeding values for important traits. This funding continues a long-term cooperation that has resulted in catfish with improved performance. WARU scientists will continue to use these breeding value estimates to select and breed genetically superior fish and release these fish to U.S. catfish farmers.
Approach:
Historically, genetic improvement in livestock has been achieved by estimating breeding values (genetic merit) of individual animals based on their performance for traits and the pedigree (relationships) among animals in the population. Individuals with the best breeding values are mated to produce progeny with superior performance. Recent developments in DNA technology have allowed measurement of DNA sequence differences at thousands of locations in an animal’s genome. Combining this DNA data with traditional pedigree and performance data improves the accuracy of breeding value estimates (referred to as genomic breeding values) and accelerates the rate of genetic gain. The Cooperator will use sophisticated statistical analysis to combine DNA, pedigree and trait performance data to estimate genomic breeding values for catfish traits that influence efficiency and profitability. Scientists with the Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Stoneville, MS will use these estimates in their catfish breeding program to enhance performance of catfish germplasm they release to U.S. catfish farmers, resulting in improved profits and delivery of high quality, affordable seafood to U.S. consumers.