Application Of Livestock Genomics To Global Food Security Issues

Nearly 20 years have passed since the start of NRSP8.  Since then, genomic activities in the livestock community have been associated with gene identification, gene mapping, QTL identification and, more recently, the completion of initial sequencing of all the major livestock and aquaculture species. Many individual genes have been identified and incorporated into selection schemes including HAL, ESR, MC4R, PRKAG3 (RN) and IGF2 in the pig; DGAT1, GHR and CAST in cattle; CLPG1, FGFR3, and DMP1 in sheep; and the B complex and FM03 in chickens. The advent of cheaper, faster sequencing technologies and the draft sequences and development of SNP chip technologies for livestock and aquaculture species have contributed to our understanding of many ways to further improve our important food species. Such discoveries have generally benefitted three groups: livestock producers and consumers in the developed world and biomedical researchers. However, increased food insecurity and a worldwide food production crisis loom as the most significant scientific challenges facing us in the next 30 years.  Expectations are that human population will grow from 6 billion to 9 billion by 2050, and food production must double despite evidence of climate change and with limited land and water resources. There is a significant increased demand for animal source foods in the developing world where most livestock are produced by small holders. New pathways for research funding and personnel and the need for new genomic discoveries that will benefit small holder production that will be crucial to meeting this challenge are presented.