Genomic selection cuts three years off bull assessment

SCIENTIFIC advances have enabled experts to assess the genetic merit of a newborn bull calf as accurately as if they had evaluated 10 to 15 of its future progeny.

It has been made possible by genomic selection, a topic which will be on the minds of many during next week’s World Holstein Friesian Conference in Killarney.

On Thursday, Richard Spellman of New Zealand’s Livestock Improvement Co-operative will speak on genomic selection, which LIC believes is the most significant development in farm productivity improvement since artificial breeding began in New Zealand more than 50 years ago.