From level one through to level four, where each level is progressively more complex.
Level one is all about using parentage data to progressively improve your commercial flock. For some, this may involve just identifying the best rams within a competitive-mating progeny test. For others, looking to maximise ewe production as well as identify the top rams, the process might look something like:
If you can identify and keep your best mums, the performance of the whole flock will shift immediately.
Level two is an extension of using parentage data, bringing in additional genetic markers to drive better performance on one dimension or another. This could be selecting for fertility traits that transform low-fecundity breeds into high-producers, or help stamp out undesirable traits such as yellow fat. Totogen works with clients to identify and validate bespoke genetic markers, as well as openly available SNPs.
Levels three and four go a lot further, into the realm of developing a new breeding program and/or breed, for example, or targeting specific high-value markets with a highly differentiated product. If this is the sort of thing that gets your heart racing, talk to Andy!
Much more enjoyable than a list of bullet points, is hearing Andy Ramsden talk about the Astino Breeding Programme over a beer:
