December 26, 2006

Euribrid makes use of genomic selection
 

Euribrid has announced the first large-scale commercial use of "genomic selection" technology in poultry.

This is the first time such a large set of DNA markers has been used in commercial animal breeding. Animals used for application were born on Nov 22, 2006.

Genomic selection allows researchers to check essential traits of an animal before it is born, including traits, which are currently difficult to measure, such as resistance to disease and meat quality. The process provides an accurate assessment of breeding values of animals without having to measure traits. Furthermore, the information is available not just for a single gene or trait, but also for all the genes and traits at the same time.

The method could be used to accelerate genetic progress, pointed out Dr Gerard Albers, manager of

Euribrid's Breeding Research Centre adding genomic selection could be a major breakthrough in breeding since the introduction of BLUP in pig breeding in the early 1990s and that of hybridisation in chicken and turkey breeding in the 1940s and 1950s.

Euribrid, the breeding division of Nutreco consists of three breeding companies, each focusing on its own species; broilers (Hybro), turkeys (Hybrid), pigs (Hypor), day-old chicks and hatching eggs (Plumex).