Sheep & Goats

Fifty years of selection in French goats: achievements and perspectives

---

Abstract

The very first steps of the selection program for the two main French goat breeds, Alpine and Saanen, began in the 1970s. Initially focused on the genetic improvement of protein yield, a trait closely correlated with milk production, the breeding goal gradually expanded to include milk composition traits (fat yield, protein content and fat content). Functional traits were later added, including a type appraisal system with 11 scoring points, mainly related to udder morphology in 2005, and somatic cell count in 2011, to enhance udder health and reduce the risk of mastitis. More recently, in 2023, the breeding goal was updated to include artificial insemination success. Overall, the French goat breeding program is organized according to a pyramid management system. Of the national population of 650,000 goats, 30% are involved in official milk recording. Of these, 150,000 goats form the selection nucleus with 600 breeders are committed to artificially inseminating at least 30% of their flock. Major advances in goat genomics, such as the sequencing of goat genome in 2010, the creation of an international consortium (IGGC) enabling the development of the Illumina 50K SNP chip in 2011 and the implementation of a male reference population, have propelled French goat selection forward. Genomic evaluation was implemented in 2018 requiring adjustments to the selection scheme. Young bucks from planned matings are genotyped within the first weeks of life. Early genomic evaluation allowed to reduce the generation interval, by enabling the selection of candidates that will enter the Capgenes breeding organization's semen production center and will be proposed to breeders for artificial insemination from the first year. To further improve the reliability of Genomic Estimated Breeding Values, the dams of these young bucks are also genotyped. The proportion of planned matings has been increased to about 20%, reinforcing selection pressure on male candidates. Genetic variability is managed using the optimal contribution method to limit inbreeding. For the future, research is ongoing to develop new traits related to animal efficiency and resilience, and their adaptation to a changing environment. The next trait to be introduced into the total merit index is maturity, defined as the ability to maintain milk production throughout multiple lactations, which can be used as a proxy for functional longevity. Current research also focuses on health traits, particularly genetic resistance to Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus and to gastrointestinal parasites in goats managed on pasture. Another research area involves studying the ability to sustain extended lactations. In the near future, traits linked to climate change adaptation, such as thermotolerance, or to mitigation, such as reduction in methane emission, will also be investigated.

Keywords: 2026

How to Cite:

Arnal, M., Bailly-Salins, A., Chassier, M., Clément, V., Larroque, H., Martin, P., Palhière, I., Piacère, A., Robert-Granié, C., Rupp, R. & Tosser-Klopp, G., (2026) “Fifty years of selection in French goats: achievements and perspectives”, World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production Digital Archive 2026(1): 2295579. doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/wcgalp.24344

Rights: 1