| The efforts in sequencing the bovine genome have resulted in the detection of many thousands of genetic markers. Recently, a method has been developed to accurately predict total genetic values of animals using whole-genome dense marker maps. Selection based on these predicted values, i.e. genomic selection, is expected to have an enormous impact on breeding programs, but until now it has not been applied to livestock animals. The objectives of this PhD study are (1) optimisation of genomic selection in dairy cattle with respect to the accuracy of predicting total genetic values and (2) optimisation of a dairy cattle breeding program using genomic selection. |
