Ovigen: Multi-breed sheep genetic and genomic evaluations
Simulation studies in cattle suggest genetic gain can be increased by 50% with genome-wide genomic selection. Expected responses from genomic selection may actually be greater in Irish sheep because the accuracy of genetic evaluations currently achieved in Ireland with traditional approaches is low.
OVIGEN focuses on:
- Increasing the number of phenotypes for genetic and genomic evaluations (especially on commercial crossbreed sheep),
- Developing accurate national genetic evaluations,
- Scoping the feasibility of international evaluations,
- Implementing genomic selection from generated genotypes and phenotypes on 11,560 sheep
- Evaluating alternative breeding schemes. Genetic and genomic evaluations for all performance traits will be developed in this project.
The impact this research will be a large increase in accuracy of genetic evaluations for all traits and a reduction in fluctuations of individual animal estimates of genetic merit over time. This has long been a demand of Irish sheep breeders.
The outcome from OVIGEN will be a national across-breed genomic selection breeding programme for Irish sheep which will put Ireland to the fore internationally on genomic selection. The strong inclusion of Sheep Ireland and Teagasc extension in this project will ensure a rapid and seamless implementation of the outcomes of this work.
OVIGEN has the potential to increase the genetic gain of the Irish scheep flock by at least 350% (i.e. from €0.04/lamb/year to €0.14/lamb/year).