Genetic selection of feed efficiency and methane emissions in sheep and cattle in Uruguay: progress and limitations.

NAVAJAS, E. - RAVAGNOLO, O. - DE BARBIERI, I. - PRAVIA, M.I. - AGUILAR, I. - LEMA, O.M. - VERA, B. - PERAZA, P. - MARQUES, C. B. - VELAZCO, J.I. - CIAPPESONI, G.

Resumen:

ABSTRACT.- Residual feed intake (RFI) and methane (CH4) emissions are potential new selection objectives in beef and sheep breeding programmes to assist reaching greenhouse gas mitigation targets and to support economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Phenotyping platforms in both species are in place in Uruguay, linked with the genetically evaluated populations of main breeds (Hereford, Merino, Corriedale, Dohne and Texel), being the basis of the reference populations for genomic selection. Current progress and main findings are described here. New selection indexes and selection criteria, as residual CH4, are needed given the potential unfavourable associations between CH4 and performance. Larger reference populations imply higher genomic prediction accuracies, accurate estimations of genetic correlations among feed intake, RFI, CH4 and performance and a comprehensive understanding of these associations. On-going rumen metagenomics and metatrascriptomics will also provide information about its value as predictor of genetic merit of these traits.


Detalles Bibliográficos
2022
Methane (CH4) emissions
Greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation
Beef breeding programmes
Sheep breeding programmes
Inglés
Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria
AINFO
http://www.ainfo.inia.uy/consulta/busca?b=pc&id=63460&biblioteca=vazio&busca=63460&qFacets=63460
Acceso abierto
Resumen:
Sumario:ABSTRACT.- Residual feed intake (RFI) and methane (CH4) emissions are potential new selection objectives in beef and sheep breeding programmes to assist reaching greenhouse gas mitigation targets and to support economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Phenotyping platforms in both species are in place in Uruguay, linked with the genetically evaluated populations of main breeds (Hereford, Merino, Corriedale, Dohne and Texel), being the basis of the reference populations for genomic selection. Current progress and main findings are described here. New selection indexes and selection criteria, as residual CH4, are needed given the potential unfavourable associations between CH4 and performance. Larger reference populations imply higher genomic prediction accuracies, accurate estimations of genetic correlations among feed intake, RFI, CH4 and performance and a comprehensive understanding of these associations. On-going rumen metagenomics and metatrascriptomics will also provide information about its value as predictor of genetic merit of these traits.