Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for improving the efficacy of a plant breeding program aimed at altering phenotypic traits for which associations with genetic markers can be established. Genome-wide genetic values of individuals are computed based on the individuals' marker genotypes and the associations established between genetic markers and phenotypic traits. Individuals and breeding schemes are then selected based both on the individuals' genome-wide genetic value and on the distributions of these genetic values for the potential progenies derived through the breeding schemes under evaluation. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides systems and computer program products for performing the disclosed methods as well as plants selected, provided, or produced by any of the methods herein and transgenic plants created by any of the methods herein.