Genomic selection in Brown Swiss cattle: Impact on genetic gain and breeding profit

Breeding value estimation is actually adapting theoretical knowledge on genomic selection. Aim of this study is to evaluate consequences of genomic selection and breeding value estimation on the breeding program for Brown Swiss cattle in Baden-Wuerttemberg. Alternative breeding schemes are compared according to different success parameters and possible consequences on the breeding structures are discussed. The actual set of traits in the Brown Swiss breeding program is evaluated with ZPLAN modelling software. Seven different breeding plans are compared. Besides the actual breeding program and two other "conventional" variants there are four breeding plans based on genomic selection. In total, the monetary genetic gain and the breeding profit are higher with genomic selection than in the conventional breeding program. This is mainly due to a shorter generation interval and lower breeding costs. However, genetic gain in natural units for some secondary traits is lower in genomic selection than in the conventional system.