A journey: the opportunities and challenges of melding genomics into U.S. sheep breeding programs

Presenter:
Dr. Ron Lewis, Department of Animal Science
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Date: May 24, 2016

Description:
The efficiency of lamb and wool production has increased substantially worldwide by applying traditional quantitative genetic principles in sheep breeding programs. Accelerating those gains depends on melding state-of-the-art technologies in animal genomics with quantitative genetics approaches to more accurately identify high merit animals. The aim of this webinar will be to demystify these technologies. This will entail a journey – a genomics road trip – beginning with the key terminology and principles of modern biology. Next on the journey will be reflection, considering ways genomics may enhance, yet certainly not replace, the fundamentals of successful sheep breeding programs. The inevitable bumps along the road will then be identified, which include the resource and financial challenges that using genomic tools entail.

The sign of a successful journey is to plan the next one. Therefore, the webinar will conclude with an overview of a new project, funded by the Let’s Grow program within the American Sheep Industry Association, which begins the melding of genomics into U.S. sheep breeding programs.

This webinar is made possible with funding support from the Let’s Grow Committee of the American Sheep Industry Association.

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