Effort having been made to highlight the role of modern Genomics in animal production, health and welfare

1. Genomics: A Paradigm Shift in
Animal Breeding
RevolutionizingLivestockProductionthroughGenetic
Innovation
Prof. Dr. Sar Zamin Khan
The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan

2. BACKGROUND
• Figure : Global demand for meat in 2050
(adapted from FAO, 2012; Gates Notes 2013)
• With a projected world
population of nearly 10 billion
people by 2050, an
unprecedented increase in
demand for animal protein is
inevitable.
• The gap between animal
production and the world's
population's demand is
widening. As the population
grows, so does the demand
for meat, dairy, and eggs.

3. BACKGROUND
However, animal production is not
keeping up with this demand. This is due
to a number of factors, including:
1. Environmental constraints:
Animal agriculture is a major contributor
to environmental degradation, including
deforestation, water pollution, and
greenhouse gas emissions. As the world
becomes more concerned about the
environment, there is pressure to reduce
animal production.

4. BACKGROUND
• Rising costs of feed:
• The cost of feed, which is the main input
for animal production, has been rising in
recent years. This is due to several
factors, including climate change, which
has reduced crop yields, and the
increasing demand for biofuels, which has
diverted land away from food production

5. BACKGROUND
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Global-demand-for-meat-in-2050-
adapted-from-FAO-2012-Gates-Notes-2013_fig2_280489567 [accessed 14
Nov, 2023]
So there is an imperative need
to explore new technologies
through which productive traits
of animals could be modified in
order to meet world’s demand
for milk, meat and eggs.

6. BACKGROUND
• The use of genomics is leading to a
paradigm shift in animal breeding. This
shift is away from traditional methods
of selection based on phenotypic
recordings and towards a new era of
selection based on genetics.
• This led to the development of
animals that are more productive,
healthier, and have better welfare.

7. What is genomics?
• Genomics is the study of all of an
organism's genes, including their
structure, function, and evolution. It is
a broad field that encompasses a wide
range of research activities, from
sequencing individual genes to
analysing the entire genome of an
organism.

8. GENOMICS IN ANIMAL
BREEDING
Genomics is revolutionizing
animal breeding by providing
breeders with new tools to
select animals with desired traits
This is done by analyzing the
DNA of animals and identifying
genetic markers that are
associated with desired traits

9. Steps of genomics in animal breeding
Identify a reference
population
1
Genotype animals in
the breeding
population
2
Use the prediction
equations to estimate
the breeding values
of the animals in the
breeding population
3
Select animals with
the highest breeding
values for the traits of
interest
4

10. ADVANTAGES
OF GENOMICS
IN ANIMAL
BREEDING
● More accurate selection,
considers all genes affecting
traits
● Faster selection, choose at
younger age
● Rapid improvement in
genetic quality

11. SIGNIFICANCE OF
GENOMICS IN
ANIMAL BREEDING
• Genomics has revolutionized animal
breeding by enabling scientists to identify
and select animals with desirable traits at
an unprecedented level of precision.
• This has led to significant improvements
in the productivity, disease resistance,
and welfare of livestock animals.
• Genomics allows breeders to select for
traits controlled by genes.

12. Genomics
vs
Traditional Breeding
• Genomics
• a more sophisticated approach to
animal breeding that relies on the
analysis of an animal's DNA
• More precise
• High ability to develop new breeds
• Relatively expensive
• Traditional Breeding
• Based on the selection of individuals
with desirable traits for breeding
purposes
• Less precise
• Limited ability
• Less expensive

13. Genomics
vs
Traditional Breeding

14. APPLICATIONS OF
GENOMICS IN
ANIMAL BREEDING
• Genomics is being used to
improve a wide range of traits in
animals, including:
1. PRODUCTION TRAITS
a. Milk production in cows
b. Egg production in chickens
c. Meat production in livestock
animals.

15. APPLICATIONS OF
GENOMICS IN
ANIMAL BREEDING
2. Health Traits
a. Resistance to disease
b. Tolerance to heat stress
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

16. APPLICATIONS OF
GENOMICS IN
ANIMAL BREEDING
3. Animal Welfare
a. Behavior and temperament.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

17. APPLICATIONS OF
GENOMICS IN ANIMAL
BREEDING
4. Developing New Breeds
• Genomics can be used to
identify and select animals with
desirable traits that are not
found in existing breeds.

18. APPLICATIONS OF
GENOMICS IN
ANIMAL BREEDING
5. Preserving Genetic Diversity
Genomics can be used to identify
and preserve rare breeds of
animals.

19. EXAMPLES OF
GENOMICS IN
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
• 1. In dairy cows, genomics is being used
to select for animals that
a. Produces more milk,
b. Have higher butterfat content,
c. More resistant to mastitis.

20. Examples of
genomics in
domestic animals
2. In pigs, genomics is being used
to select for animals that
• a. Grow faster
• b. Have more lean meat
• c. More resistant to diseases
such as PRRS (Porcine
Reproductive and Respiratory
Syndrome).

21. Examples of genomics
in domestic animals
• 3. In chickens, genomics is being used to
select for animals that
a. lay more eggs
b. have better feed efficiency
c. more resistant to diseases such as
Newcastle disease.

22. OPPORTUNITIE
S OF
GENOMICS IN
ANIMAL
BREEDING
1. Increased genetic gain
2. Reduced costs
3. improved animal welfare
4. Reduced environmental impact
5. Increased profits for farmers

23. CHALLENGES
1. High cost of
genotyping
2. Need for large
reference populations
3. Computational
challenges
4. Ethical concerns

24. conclusion
• The use of genomics in animal breeding is
still in its early stages of development, but
it has the potential to significantly improve
the efficiency, sustainability, and ethics of
animal production.

25. • The future directions of genomics
in animal breeding are exciting
and have the potential to make a
real difference in the world.

26. QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS

27. THANK YOU