It is clear by now that lots of useful traits can be determined at birth from a DNA test. It is less clear that selecting on DNA alone insures we will have the future herd that an ever-changing economic and agronomic picture dictates.
Those
pursuing “Genomic ranked” breeding animals in both Beef and Dairy breeds are
now in many cases three generations beyond ancestors with realized
(=actual) performance. Traits we
overlook (as in soundness of feet) can get extreme over that many generations,
and surprise us when the calves hit the ground and after.
Phenotypic selection will always have a place for those traits that relate to
sorting between “maternal” and “terminal”;
for mating to control costs of production (as well as show and sale ring
appeal); and learning to observe epigenetic effects from changing environments. Observing relative adaptation from
behavior as well as data may be a big
part of how we select cattle for future performance.
Mich Livestock Service, Inc “For the Best in Bulls” since 1978 ph (989) 834- 2661
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