377 Derivation and Use of Genomic Enhanced Estimated Breeding Values for Selection in Sheep

Abstract The efficacy of selection programs in sheep depends on accurate evaluation genetic merit. Globally, evaluations are based best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) which fixed effects and breeding values estimated simultaneously. With genotyping becoming increasingly routine, pedigree, performance, genomic data being combined single-step BLUP (ssGBLUP) to generate enhanced (GEBV). Since GEBV more accurate, younger animals can be selected reliably; a corollary benefit is shortened generation interval. Traits that lowly heritable, expressed one sex, measured late life, or difficult and/or expensive measure most from evaluation. Adoption this technology has lagged likely due the higher cost compared value an animal. Nevertheless, genomics been successfully incorporated several countries (e.g., Australia, France, New Zealand). Increases accuracy EBV up 60% have reported. In 2021, U.S. breed (Katahdin) was tested by comparing predictive ability bias using ssGBLUP pedigree for weight fecal egg counts at weaning. Approximately 5,000 animals, born within last 5 years, were genotyped with 50k array. Nearly 70k body weights 14k available. Genomic information improved both traits as much 10%, reduced counts. Accuracies appreciably (by 1.81 times). An outcome release Katahdin sheep. integration into evaluation, there clear opportunity augment reliability thereby rates response