54 Genetics Reloaded: Large-scale Collection of Novel Phenotypes in Turkey. (8th October 2021) - Baes, Christine F
Abstract: Effective application of genomic selection methodologies require genomic information, population-based pedigree data, and high-quality phenotypes. The implementation of such selection programs can increase the accuracy of breeding values, therefore improving the ability to estimate the genetic merit of livestock. In particular, traits with low heritability are amenable to genomic selection. The objective of this presentation is to outline improvement of traits such as livability, disease resistance, fertility, and other health and welfare traits in turkeys, which could considerably advance breeding programs. The aim of this study was to apply different methodologies (ssGBLUP, random regression approaches, etc.) to novel and conventional traits collected in commercial turkey lines (15, 000 turkeys genotyped at 65K). This reference population was used to assess the increase in accuracy of selection using genomic information, which ranged from 0 to +0.3, depending on the trait. A further goal of the study was to monitor inbreeding within the different lines. A large number of high-quality phenotypes related to fertility, growth, production, and carcass composition were collected, as well as additional health and behaviour phenotypes related to livability. These traits are being developed for use in performance testing. Furthermore, meat quality (e.g. white striation, water holding capacity, pH, sheer force and colour, etc.) and total carcass composition phenotypes were analysed. With improved methodology, more detailed phenotypic information, and comprehensive data collection and integration, we present more accurate selection of parent stock for application in applied poultry breeding programs.