Rapid iteration selective breeding

Grader A: hit

Official USDA genomic evaluations for Holsteins and Jerseys began in January 2009 and are used routinely by AI companies and farms to select bulls, doubling genetic gain.

Test: D37 Horizons: algorithmic breeding services available to ordinary breeders or farms by 2019 (earlier counts).

• USDA dairy evaluation history (USDA ARS Beltsville) (2009-01): Official genomic evaluations released January 2009 for Holsteins and Jerseys.

Grader B: hit

Genomic selection with official genomic evaluations has been used in US dairy cattle since 2009 and offered by commercial genotyping firms.

Test: Breeders could buy or use algorithmic/genomic selection services by 2019 (earlier counts).

• Invited review: Reliability of genomic predictions for North American Holstein bulls (2009): Algorithmic genomic evaluations in commercial dairy breeding from 2009.