ANIMAL BREEDING BAG301

Home Study Animal Breeding Course

ACS Student comment: Yes [the course is a valuable learning experience], I am loving it, it relates to all the things I am presently doing with our dogs and sheep and I am finding it extremely useful and have learnt a lot. Love getting my assignments back to see how I went always an exciting moment and then shared around the dinner table that night!! Zoe Crouch, Aust - Animal Breeding course.

How do I plan animal breeding programs?

COURSE STRUCTURE

There are 7 lessons in this course:

• Plant cells
• Animal cells
• Cell division - mitosis (asexual reproduction); meiosis (sexual reproduction)
• Genes - phenotype and genotype; homogenous and heterogenous
• Terminology
• The work of Mendel
• Sex determination 

• Gene mutations
• Lethal genes
• Effect of the environment
• Hybrid vigour
• Genetics in agriculture
• Heritability

• Animal breeding programs
• Agriculture
• Decide on your priorities
• Dual purpose animals
• Artificial selection
• Gene groups
• Regression
• Domestic animals - Dogs, cats etc.

• Inbreeding - close breeding and line breeding
• Genetic effects of inbreeding
• Advantages and disadvantages

• The effects of cross breeding in farm animals
• Genetic effects, phenotype effects,heterosis, and genotype effect
• Cross breeding in sheep
• Cross breeding in domestic animals

• Practical cross breeding
• Two breed or single cross
• Back cross or crisscrossing
• Cyclical crossing
• Rotational crossing
• Advantages of cross breeding
• Reciprocal recurrent selection
• Breed societies
• Grading up

• Performance Testing
• Sib Testing
• Progeny testing
• Relative breeding Values (RBV)
• Artificial insemination
• Synchronised heats
• Ova transplants

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?

• This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.

• If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.

• If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.

• If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.

• There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.

• Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.

• You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.

You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.

• 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.

More Information on ACS Distance Education and our Courses

Who are our tutors?

Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.

Sample Course Notes

Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.

What learning method should I choose?

We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”

How long will it take to complete the course?

This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.

Longer courses will obviously take more time. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”

What Do Our Students think of us?

If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.

I don’t think this is the right course for me

If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.

You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.

If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk

Recognition and Accreditation

For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.

Who is ACS Distance Education?

If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”

OUR TUTORS

Dr. Gareth Pearce BSc(Hons), BVSc, MA, MVetS, PhD, GradCertEd(HE), PGCertAqVetS, PGCertWLBio&Cons, DiplECPHM, MRCVS. Gareth has over 25 years of experience in teaching and research in agriculture, veterinary medicine, wildlife ecology and conservation in a variety of colleges and universities in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. He qualified as a veterinary surgeon at the Universities of Melbourne and Bristol, having previously graduated in Agricultural Science and gained a PhD in Livestock Behaviour and Production. He also has post-graduate qualifications in Education, Wildlife Conservation Medicine, Aquatic Veterinary Studies and Wildlife Biology & Conservation.

Anna Sylvester B.Sc.Hons.(Human Biology), M.Sc.Equine
Anna graduated with a degree in Human Biology from Loughborough University and then went on to complete an MSc in Equine Science at The University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and has a high level of expertise in equine science. She has since spent time in managerial, research and lecturing positions. She also has practical equine experience, and still competes nationally whenever the opportunity arises.

Marius Erasmus B.Sc.Agric., B.Sc.(Wildlife), M.Sc.Agric.
Subsequent to completing a BSc (agric) degree in animal science, he completed an honours degree in wildlife management, and a masters degree in production animal physiology. Following the Masters degree, he has worked for 9 years in the UK, and South Africa; in wildlife management, dairy, beef and poultry farming.

 Improve your knowledge of annual breeding and planning.

• All tutors highly experienced and qualified in the field.

• Learn about cross-breeding and live stock improvement.

• A must for anyone wanting to learn more about animal breeding.

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