Genomic-Based Early Selection of Breeding Bulls Fully Expanded... Selection Period Shortened from 5.5 Years to 1 Year

From Hanwoo to Dairy Cattle
Laying the Foundation for Enhanced Dairy Productivity and Expanded Exports

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on May 5 that, following the introduction of a genomic-based early selection system for Hanwoo breeding bulls in March, the same system has now been applied to dairy cattle, resulting in the first early selection of 10 dairy breeding bulls on April 29.

An official from the Ministry explained, "Early-selected breeding bulls are chosen at 12 to 20 months of age using genomic analysis, before progeny testing of their offspring is conducted." The official added, "With this measure, the national livestock improvement system covering both Hanwoo and dairy cattle has fully transitioned to a genomic-based approach, which is expected to accelerate the pace of improvement across all breeds and significantly enhance the competitiveness of the industry."

Until now, dairy breeding bulls have been selected as candidates and then confirmed as proven sires after progeny testing of their daughters, a process that took about 5.5 years before semen could be distributed. However, as the accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values has improved, it is now possible to evaluate the genetic potential of young animals, enabling early selection at 12 to 20 months of age.

This year, the Ministry will operate a transitional period in which the traditional selection method—where candidate breeding bulls are confirmed as proven sires after progeny testing—runs alongside the genomic-based early selection system. From 2027 onwards, the conventional method will be discontinued, and each year 20 superior breeding bulls will be selected early and their semen supplied immediately.

The transition to a genomic-based selection system has been analyzed to improve key economic traits such as milk production. The Ministry expects that by distributing superior genetic resources more quickly to livestock farmers, the pace of genetic improvement and productivity will increase, thereby reducing production costs such as feed expenses and improving the management conditions for dairy farmers.

Building on these improvement results, the Ministry also plans to expand overseas exports of Korean dairy cattle semen. Previously, Korean dairy cattle semen has been exported mainly to African and Central Asian countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Nepal. In cooperation with the Rural Development Administration, the Ministry will expand export destinations to countries like Mongolia and Tajikistan by leveraging international cooperation networks such as the Korea-Asia Food & Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI) and official development assistance (ODA) projects, and further increase semen exports.

Lee Jaesik, Director General for Livestock Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "The early selection of dairy breeding bulls marks an important milestone in transitioning the livestock improvement system to a genomic-based approach following Hanwoo. Through the early dissemination of superior genetic resources, we will enhance the productivity of domestic dairy farmers and alleviate management burdens such as feed costs. At the same time, we will leverage these improvement results to further expand the overseas presence of Korean dairy cattle genetic resources."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.