Software

NIFAB: A genome-to-phenome biobank enabling precision animal breeding for sustainable livestock production

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Abstract

The Northern Ireland Farm Animal Biobank (NIFAB) is a DAERA-funded, strategic infrastructure launched in 2022 to deliver data-driven solutions for sustainable livestock production in Northern Ireland and beyond. NIFAB has established a large genome-to-phenome biobank and a centralized database that integrates performance and health records with feed quality data, environmental measurements, biological samples, and results from genomic and multi-omics analyses collected across AFBI and CAFRE farms. This resource is specifically designed to accelerate the development, validation, and adoption of genomic selection tools such as genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) and precision herd management, creating a robust foundation for sustainable genetic gain while safeguarding future precision breeding across Northern Ireland, the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and internationally.NIFAB's architecture supports end-to-end pipelines for genomic prediction and decision support: standardized phenotypes and metadata; linked environmental covariates for genotype-by-environment modeling; and multi-omics layers to improve prediction accuracy for complex, difficult-to-measure traits. By coupling routine and research-grade recordings with banked samples, NIFAB enables iterative model improvement, independent validation, and re-analysis as new assays emerge. Immediate breeding targets include feed efficiency, reduced emissions and nutrient losses, and sustainability of livestock production, traits aligned with industry priorities and environmental policy. The platform's design supports single- and multi-breed evaluations, across-jurisdiction reference populations, and translational outputs that can be embedded into on-farm decision tools and breeding program KPIs.Governance and partnerships are central to NIFAB's impact. AFBI Farm Animal Bioinformatics (AFBI FAB) unit manages collaborating projects focused on emissions, efficiency, and resilience to disease and environmental change, with the explicit goal of sustainable breeding for the green transition. The Steering Committee spans policy, advisory, and international scientific leadership across the world. providing routes for co-design, rigorous peer challenge, and rapid pathway-to-impact across Northern Ireland and beyond. These linkages ensure that GEBVs and precision tools arising from NIFAB are credible, interoperable, and primed for uptake by breeding organizations, milk processors, veterinarians, and farmers.In summary, NIFAB transforms fragmented research and routine data into a coherent genome-to-phenome resource that underpins accurate GEBVs and scalable precision breeding. By integrating environmental measures, multi-omics, and biological samples within a living biobank, NIFAB safeguards future-proof selection and herd health strategies under evolving climate, market, and regulatory pressures.

Keywords: 2026

How to Cite:

Shirali, M., (2026) “NIFAB: A genome-to-phenome biobank enabling precision animal breeding for sustainable livestock production”, World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production Digital Archive 2026(1): 2285388. doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/wcgalp.23675

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