What is Genomic Selection?
The shift to Genomic Selection has been described as the biggest event in breeding technology in the New Zealand Dairy Industry since the advent of artificial breeding. Some have gone as far as saying it will change dairy farming forever. They may be right, but it is probably more accurate to say it will change dairy breeding forever.
The release of New Zealand’s first Genomically Selected Bull Teams is the first stage in the continual development of
breeding innovations we have brought to the New Zealand Dairy Industry over the past 40 years.
For farmers, Genomic Selection means a faster rate of genetic gain. Farming will stay the same, farmers will face the same issues they are facing now – if they embrace the opportunities Genomic Selection brings, they will make significantly faster gains in production, type and other traits that are significant to the farmer.
Genomic Selection also means that a far more diverse range of genetics can be assessed before entry into our breeding programs, providing opportunities for farmers to breed animals better suited to their individual environments. Corrective trait management – a particular problem in New Zealand following 12 years of BW – can happen faster, allowing more aggressive breeding plans to build cumulative genetic gains into your herd.
