We argue that animal-breeding schemes need well-designed breeding plans to maximise
long-term genetic gains from genomic information. Genomic information has been
implemented in livestock breeding schemes with ad hoc breeding plans, suggesting that
the potential benefits of genomic information are not being fully exploited. Breeding
schemes need well-designed breeding plans to exploit the benefits of genomic information
for two reasons. First, there are several components of breeding schemes with
genomic information that impact on long-term genetic gains. Second, these components
interact, which implies that breeding schemes need to optimise components simultaneously
in order to maximise long-term genetic gains. Designing breeding plans that
optimise components simultaneously is a complex task. In more cases than not, breeding
schemes, their components, and interactions between these components do not allow
optimum breeding plans to be designed by mere reasoning. We recommend using
decision frameworks to design breeding plans for schemes that use genomic information:
testing sound hypotheses by designing and executing controlled experiments using
decision tools, such as mathematical–statistical models. These decision frameworks
enable us to design optimum breeding plans by providing an objective and theoretical
basis to make and validate breeding decisions, enabling us to understand the underlying
mechanisms of breeding schemes with genomic information, and allowing us to test the
practical implementation of breeding decisions against theoretical models. Genomic
information is an exciting prospect for animal breeding, and there is clearly an important
role for breeding plans that maximise long-term genetic gains in breeding schemes using
genomic information.