An integrated environment for genetic evaluation: databases, variance component estimation and genetic evaluation in the Saxon Swine Breeding Program

In swine breeding programs multivariate genetic evaluation are state of the art considering jointly many different traits from different sources on current and past animals. The structure of the Saxon Swine breeding program serves as an example for the various data sources. As a routine operation, investment in a central data repository or an integrated database creates a flexible, safe and efficient environment for multi trait BLUP. With a central database all data editing can be recorded in scripts thereby documenting the data editing process. An open source approach is presented using the APIIS framework. Generic procedures and programs are presented, which allows the creation of integrated databases, supports the pre-BLUP and post-BLUP data processing steps, which are all centered around the integrated database. An automated evaluation of BLUE and BLUP is presented.