The current animal industry is both technology-intensive and globalised. Efficient molecular tools, such as DNA markers, are in demand to strengthen competitive power by maximising the improvement of livestock and obtaining the trust of customers by the verification of product origins. This review describes the present techniques applying DNA markers in the animal industry, with a focus on beef cattle and pigs. Preliminary data from an individual traceability assay for Hanwoo (Korean cattle) using 20 microsatellite markers is described. The potential uses of the assay are demonstrated for several key markers of different traits: for the porcine stress syndrome gene using the RYR mutation; for acid meat using the PRKAG3 mutation; for intramuscular fat using the FABP3 mutation and for fixing the Dominant white allele using KIT duplication. In addition, a possible strategy is suggested to discriminate between pig breeds using mutations of KIT, MC1R, ND2 and the 11-bp insertion in the D-loop of mitochondrial DNA. The industrial application of DNA techniques is limited at present, however, it is expected that DNA markers originating from trait genes, especially those of low-heritability and difficult-to-measure traits, may contribute to maximising the improvement of the major economic traits of animals in the future.