The Standard Error of the Estimated Purebred-Crossbred Genetic Correlation

Abstract Text: The purebred-crossbred genetic correlation (r_pc) is the key parameter determining the need for crossbred information. This work presents a simple equation for the standard error of the estimated r_pc for nested full-half sib schemes with common-litter effects. The result shows that the standard error of r_pc is determined by its true value, the number of sire families, and the accuracy of sire EBVs. Application to typical breeding schemes shows that the required number of sire families is large, usually exceeding 100, particularly when the numbers of dams per sire is small and common-litter effects are large. This work allows a priori optimization of data collection with the aim to estimate r_pc.

Keywords:

crossbreeding

genetic correlation

standard error