9.6 Selection response: the generalized approach

Knowing the phenotypic variance and the selected proportion allows us to determine the superiority of the selected parents (how much better than average the selected parent are) beforehand. This is based on the variance and the selected proportion only, so before the actual animals have been identified. This is very convenient! We can use this information to predict the genetic response to selection, given a certain proportion. This response can then be evaluated, and, if desired, compared to predicted selection results when using a larger or smaller selected proportion. The selection intensity is an important tool in the decision making process.

Apart from the selected proportion and the phenotypic variance, what is missing for predicting response to selection, or genetic gain, is the translation of the phenotype into an estimate of the genetic potential (EBV). We need to know how accurate that estimate is, and how to translate the phenotype to the genetic potential. There is a general formula for predicting genetic gain:

Even though it looks different, this formula actually is the same as the one for mass selection that was discussed earlier in this chapter:

If we consider the components of the formula for genetic gain, it actually makes sense. The S/ σ_p indicates the genetic superiority of the parents, expressed in σ_p. The σ_a/ σ_p translates σ_p into σ_a, so into genetics. The final σ_a translates the result in units of the trait under selection (e.g. kg milk, or ride ability score). Once again: advantage of working with selected proportions (and thus with selection intensity) is that results can be predicted prior to the actual selection decision. From now on we will only consider ΔG = i * r_IH * σ_a as that is generally applicable, and not only for mass selection. Note that the order of the components of the formula does not matter.