Whole Genome Selection through Genome Wide Imputation in Beef Cattle

This project will deliver genomic selection technology to Canada’s beef breeders and enable them to substantially increase their rates of genetic improvement. Economically important traits will be targeted that are difficult to improve using conventional approaches. Genotypes from a wide range of beef and dairy breeds will be used to develop accurate and robust genomic prediction equations which in turn will be used to make genetic improvement in different cattle populations. Genotyping a large number of animals using NGS and arrays is necessary to attain acceptable levels of reliability. Low-cost tests will be developed that allow an animal’s entire genome to be inferred from a relatively small number of strategically-placed chromosomal markers, thereby giving valuable information as to its breeding value.