How do pedigrees help breeders select animals for traits with low heritability?

In animal breeding, a pedigree—or genealogical record—is a vital tool for improving the accuracy of selection, particularly when a trait has low heritability.1

Because close relatives share a significant portion of their genes, examining the performance records of an animal's relatives allows breeders to gain a more reliable estimate of the candidate's genetic potential than looking at the individual's own performance alone. This approach is especially effective for traits that are difficult to measure, expressed only in one sex, or expressed late in life.12

By incorporating information from relatives into statistical models, such as the animal model, breeders can better isolate genetic effects from environmental influences. When heritability is low, relying solely on an individual's own phenotype is often insufficient for effective selection; therefore, using pedigree data in combination with other methods, such as progeny testing, significantly enhances the precision of breeding programs and accelerates genetic progress.2134