The Opportunities and Challenges of Integrating Genomics in a Broiler Breeding Program

R.J. Hawken, R.L. Sapp, R. Okimoto, J. Chen, R. Borg, C-H. Huang, T. Wing, C. Wang, J. Henshall, and M. Abrahamsen Cobb-Vantress, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, 72761, USA SUMMARY Cobb-Vantress is one of the leading global suppliers of broiler breeding stock, with products distributed in more than 100 countries. Cobb has continually invested in new technologies to consistently deliver genetic improvement that provide a competitive advantage in the market place. Recently, Cobb has made significant investments to implement a genomic selection program to complement the traditional breeding program. In addition to genomic selection, opportunities such as causative mutation detection, parentage testing and simple trait selection have been successfully implemented in various breeding programs within Cobb. There are many challenges involved in implementing these genomic technologies, including a simple but complex effort toward the logistics of sample collection and management from multiple pure-line populations at different geographical locations. The current state of the genome sequence presents some barriers to the successful use of these technologies in some instances; however there is currently some significant effort toward its improvement. We believe that genomic technologies are beneficial technologies to improve the genetics of our broilers.