Genomic Predictions of Economically Important Traits in Nelore Cattle of Brazil

Abstract Text: Currently, genome-wide selection methods are being successfully applied in dairy and beef breeds world-wide. Direct genomic breeding values (DGVs) in these breeds are estimated using genotypes generated either through high density SNP arrays such as Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip or by imputing these  genotypes from low density arrays such as Illumina BovineLD BeadChip. However, research on applied genomic selection in tropical breeds such as Nelore is rather limited. The objective of this study is to estimate DGVs for several economically important traits routinely evaluated at National Association of Breeders and Researchers (Associação Nacional de Criadores e Pesquisadores -ANCP). This study also examines the increase in accuracy of genomic predictions when utilizing higher density chips such as Illumina BovineHD SNP chip (HD chip). The average accuracy for reproductive, productive, visual body conformation scores, and other traits were respectively 0.58, 0.53, 0.34, and 0.57.

Keywords:

Genomic selection

Productive and reproductive traits