Acceleration of improvement in health and production of mink through genomics and machine learning

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The mink industry in Canada adds more than $1 billion to the Canadian economy each year. The Canadian fur industry accounts for approximately 60,000 jobs across the country. This economy can also grow (by an estimated $60 million annually) by improving economically important traits in Canadian mink breeding programs such as feed efficiency, reproductive performance, body size and fur quality. We have recently sequenced the mink genome with high quality, and this created a considerable number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that can be used for genomic studies in mink. In this project, genomic studies will be performed using our newly developed Affymetrix Mink 70K SNP panel on 3,072 mink. This will be achieved by partnership between Dalhousie University and Canada Mink Breeders Association. In this project, the potential of genomic selection using artificial intelligence will be evaluated. At the end of this project, the most accurate genome prediction and machine learning methods will be provided for estimating the genomic breeding values of traits of interest in mink. Genomic selection (GS) for these traits would increase the rate of genetic gain resulting in more profits for the mink industry as demonstrated in other livestock industries. In addition, the genes identified in the project could provide new opportunities for marker-assisted selection (MAS) program. Therefore, the objective of this project is to assess the potential of GS and MAS in mink production systems and develop the cost-effective tools for implementation of genetic/genomic selection for development of superior, high efficient and healthy animals. This project will generate highly qualified personnel capable of developing and applying innovative genomics and bioinformatics approaches of use in agriculture industry especially in mink industry. This approach will help improve the overall performance of the Canadian mink industry, which is in difficulty now due to several economic factors such as declining fur prices and high feed costs.