Management of selected populations: From theory to practice

Abstract

The methodologies available for improving the balance between genetic gain and inbreeding rate in selected populations were briefly reviewed. Emphasis was given to the long-term contribution approach. Such an approach was adapted to the main selection steps of dairy cattle and pig breeding. Details of the appropriate procedures were given. A posteriori tests were carried out in corresponding real populations in order to assess their potential for saving genetic variability while maintaining the genetic gains at their observed values. Generally speaking, these procedures were able to decrease kinskip and inbreeding coefficients by about 20%.