Genomic selection strategies for the German Merino sheep breeding programme - A simulation study.

ABSTRACT: Genomic selection is widely implemented in livestock breeding programmes across species. Its potential is also evident for sheep breeding; however, it has several limitations, particularly because of the high genetic diversity across and within sheep breeds. In Germany, the predominant sheep breed is the Merino sheep. Until now, there has been no use of genomic selection in the German Merino sheep breeding programme. In this simulation study, different genomic selection strategies were compared with a reference scenario with a breeding value estimation based on pedigree BLUP. A simplified version of the German Merino sheep breeding programme, including a health and a production trait in the breeding goal, was simulated via the R package Modular Breeding Program Simulator (MoBPS). Real geno

SUBMITTER: Martin R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11975160 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature