ABG-31306 Genetic Improvement of Livestock

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

By lectures, discussion meetings, excursions and practicals (including ICT) this course will provide advanced knowledge on genetic improvement schemes in livestock and companion animals. The advanced knowledge includes theory on breeding goal definition, breeding value estimation and selection and mating systems. Emphasis is on underlying genetic models and prediction and evaluation of genetic and inbreeding trends.

Learning outcomes:

After this course students will be able to:
- respond, in writing, on questions concerning basic theory and principles of genetic improvement of livestock as presented in the lectures and lecture notes;
- derive breeding goals based on information on economic properties of the production system;
- estimate breeding values from small data sets;
- predict the rate of genetic improvement of alternative breeding programs;
- understand and discuss the consequences of different structures of breeding programs on the response to selection and the rate of inbreeding;
- present a case study on the design of a breeding program.

Activities:

Lectures, practicals, discussion meetings, literature reading, excursion, (ICT-)practicals and a case study.

Examination:

Attendance to practicals and excursion is obligatory and allows participation in the written exam. The final mark for the cours is based on the exam and case study.

Literature:

- lecture notes;
- practicals;
- study guide.
Information will be provided via ICT-webpages.