Genetic and genomic dairy cattle evaluations in developing countries

The genetic evaluation system in developing countries is discussed under three major components; efficient data collection and storage; analytical system for breeding values computation and a system to disseminate improved genetics. Initial efforts in developing countries for data collection mimicked those of developed countries especially in Sub-Sahara Africa but these have not been sustainable but in Latin America countries, breed societies play a major but there is a tendency to use cheaper mobile digital systems. Analytical systems for computing breeding values are well developed with models ranging from sire and animal BLUP to random regression but effort is needed in providing management information to farmers. Various studies on genomic prediction have been undertaken but routine genomic selection is limited to a few breeds due to cost. The lack of breeding structures such as national AI companies poses a real challenge in the delivering sires of superior genetic merit to farmers.