Genomic selection strategies to improve maternal traits in Norwegian White Sheep

Abstract

This study tested and compared different implementation strategies for genomic selection for Norwegian White Sheep, aiming to increase genetic gain for maternal traits. These strategies were evaluated for their genetic gain ingrowth, carcass and maternal traits, total genetic gain, a weighted sum of the gain in each trait and rates of inbreeding through a full-scale stochastic simulation. Results showed genomic selection schemes to increase genetic gain for maternal traits but reduced genetic gain for other traits. This could also be obtained by selecting rams for artificial selection at a higher age. Implementation of genomic selection in the current breeding structure increased genetic gain for maternal traits up to 57%, outcompeted by reducing the generation interval for artificial insemination rams from current 3 to 2 years. Then, total genetic gain for maternal traits increased by 65%–77% and total genetic gain by18%–20%, but at increased rates of inbreeding.