"Plan animal breeding programs".
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are 7 lessons as follows:
- Introduction To Genetics
- Genetics
- Selection
- Pure Breeding
- Introduction To Cross Breeding
- Cross Breeding
- Livestock Improvement
AIMS
- Explain genetic influence on the characteristics exhibited by animals.
- Explain the factors that interact with genes to produce nonconformity in animals.
- Develop procedures to select animals for a breeding program.
- Develop an animal straight breeding program.
- Develop an animal cross breeding program.
- Explain the commercial methods used to breed animals.
Examples of what you may do in this course
- Explain how genes control the inheritance of characteristics, using specific examples of animal breeding.
- Distinguish between the phenotype and the genotype of animals.
- Distinguish between dominant and recessive gene pairs.
- Explain the differences in the function of chromosomes, of a specified bird when compared with a specified mammal.
- Describe linkage of gender with the expression of non-sex character traits.
- Explain positive and negative aspects of mutation in animal breeding.
- Explain the role of the environment in factors that determine genetics of an animal.
- Explain the relevance of hybrid vigour to breeding different animals.
- Explain heritability in different classes of domestic animals.
- Develop a set of aims for a breeding program, for a chosen animal.
- Develop a checklist of criteria for selecting animals in a breeding program.
- Explain natural selection, by giving an example in an animal breeding program.
- Explain aims and methods for artificial selection in animal breeding programs.
- Explain genetic regression giving an example of its possible occurrence.
- Design a checklist of factors to consider when purchasing breeding stock for a specified situation.
- Explain how an animal breeder selects animals from which to breed, for a commercial breeding program.
- Distinguish between different types of straight breeding, including: close breeding and line breeding.
- Explain how a specified pure breed (ie. straight breed) is maintained.
- Compare the advantages and disadvantages of line breeding in a breeding program for a specified type of farm animal.
- Explain where it would be appropriate to use line breeding methods in animal breeding programs.
- Explain where it would be appropriate to use close breeding methods in animal breeding programs.
- Write a procedure for straight breeding of a specified type of animal.
- Differentiate between different types of cross breeding, including: *terminal cross *two breed cross *back cross *three breed cross *rotational cross.
- Explain the concept of 'grading up', as it relates to commercial animal husbandry.
- Evaluate 'crossbreeding' in an animal breeding program.
- Determine a commercial situation, in which crossbreeding may be justified.
- Explain the services provided by a specified Breed Society in cross breeding, on a specified farm.
- Write a procedure for cross breeding of a specified type of animal.
- Define breeding terminology
- Describe the breeding programs which use artificial insemination, synchronised heats and ova transplants.
- Explain the importance of synchronised heats to breeding animals.
- Describe two different testing methods, observed by the learner that are used for animal breeding programs,
- Evaluate the relevance of breeding methods, that are used on a specified property, to the stated aims of the property owner.
- Describe the husbandry procedures which may be carried out during the pregnancy of a specified animal.
- Describe husbandry practices which may be carried out during the birth of a specified type of domesticated animal, including: *routine husbandry procedures *emergency husbandry procedures
- Plan the management of a breeding program to maximise male breeding performance.
- Perform and record the birth of a specified animal.
"Plan animal breeding programs".
Plan and implement animal breeding programs using genetic theory, practical applications to daily husbandry practice, and management of animal breeding programs. This course includes a sound introduction to genetics. Relevant to any type of animal. Personal guidance from highly qualified and experienced animal scientists and practitioners. Topics covered include: introduction to genetics; selection; pure breeding; introduction to cross breeding; cross breeding and livestock improvement.
"The course is particularly useful to students who are or wish to be involved in agricultural livestock production" Marius Erasmus - B.Sc. Agriculture, B. Science (Wildlife), M.Sc. Agriculture
