42 Views

Session: Animal Breeding and Genetics Symposium II: What Sustainable Livestock Breeding Looks Like at Home and Abroad

22 - Sustainable Livestock Breeding: Challenges and Opportunities

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

1:35 PM – 2:05 PM CT

Location: Oklahoma City Convention Center, 301 A/B

Presenting Author(s)

Christine F. Baes, n/a

Professor
University of Guelph and University of Bern
Guelph, ON

Author(s)

CR

Christina M. Rochus

Postdoc
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON
KH

Kerry Houlahan

University Of Guelph
Guelph, ON
GO

Gerson A. Oliveira Jr, Jr., BSc., MSc., PhD.

Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Guelph, Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Guelph, ON, Canada
Guelph, Ontario
Nienke Van Staaveren, BSc., MSc., PhD

Sr. Research Associate
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON
FM

Filippo Miglior, n/a

Adjunct Professor
University of Guelph and Lactanet
Guelph, ON

Abstract: Animal breeders have exploited many technological advances for increasing genetic gain in economically and functionally important traits. The implementation of such technologies in routine breeding programs has permitted genetic gains in traditional milk, meat and egg production traits as well as, more recently, in low-heritability traits like health, fertility, and even behaviour. As global demand for animal products increases, animal breeders must ensure the technologies, methods and strategies employed are sustainable, to consider the many emerging technologies that are currently being investigated in various fields, and to ensure a social licence to continue producing animal products. Here we discuss the societal, ethical, environmental, and economical aspects of sustainability in the context of livestock breeding. We review a number of technologies that have helped shape livestock breeding programs in the past and present, along with those potentially forthcoming. These tools have materialized in the areas of reproduction, genotyping and sequencing, genetic modification, epigenetics, and other areas of “omics” technologies. Although many of these technologies bring encouraging opportunities for genetic improvement of livestock populations, their applications and benefits need to be weighed with their impacts on sustainability.