New criteria in genomic selection

Additive-genetic values of gametes show different degrees of variability in selection candidates. This gametic variance can be predicted for all genotyped individuals from marker information available in many breeding programs. To this end special matrices are employed, reflecting recombination rates between markers. If breeding organisations consider these gametic variances in selection decisions they may achieve higher probabilities for top ranking animals and more genetic progress. The same matrices allow for a measure of similarity between potential parents, useful for preserving a higher diversity of haplotypes in each parent generation.