The use of loci associated with quantitative effects in dairy cattle improvement

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Abstract
The use in dairy cattle improvement of loci associated with quantitative effects that might be found by genetic analysis is discussed. These methods can make a significant contribution only if they result in the identification of quantitative loci whose inheritance can be followed in a simple Mendelian manner. Another possibility, the identification of genetic components of production having a higher heritability than overall production, would make only a minor contribution to increased genetic progress. Selection of young males, according to the estimated breeding value associated by linkage with particular marker alleles in their sire, will not make a detectable contribution to genetic improvement.