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Animal Breeding and Breeding Plans

Course developers

Prior knowledge

BiolB005, Biometry

LauZ3153, Genetics

LauZB009, Agronomy Experiment Design

Replaced course

LauZ4244 [GLAU4245] Animal Breeding and Breeding Plans

Course abstract

The aim of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the genetic principles that underpin animal improvement and their sustainable application in livestock breeding. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of animal genetics and breeding, including quantitative genetics, selection response optimization, crossbreeding strategies, estimation of genetic parameters and breeding values, inheritance patterns, mating systems, genetic diversity, and breeding program design. Practical examples and case studies from Latvian livestock industries are used to demonstrate the application of these principles in real-world breeding practices. During the studies the real

Learning outcomes and their assessment

After completing the course student will have:
• Knowledge: knowledge and understandings about the domesticated animals economic and genetic quality estimation and method for their using; knowledge about animal pure breed and hybridization breeding plans (the practical works are developed, homeworks are developed, assessment tests are successfully written the theory exam, successfully passed).
• Skills: essential communication skills in the principles of quantitative genetics in selection and mating, estimation and prediction of the genetic gain and breeding value estimations in animal populations, to use previous topics in breeding plans (the practical works are developed, home works are developed, assessment tests are successfully written).
• Competence: to realize project work; define and critically analyse the project results. The ability of consulting and cooperating with colleagues, biologically trained people and herd managers (home works are developed and defended, assessment tests are successfully written, successfully passed the theory exam).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction to animal breeding. Domestication of animals. Livestock animals. [L – 2]
2. Livestock animals’ ontogenesis and phylogenesis. Growth and development. Interior. Exterior. Conditions. Productivity, productivity evaluation. [P – 3]
3 Statistical methods in animal breeding: measures of variation, correlation, regression, ANOVA. [L – 2, P – 3]
4. Statistical analysis of quantitative traits. [L – 2, P – 3]
5. Genetic parameters of quantitative traits: variance, heritability, genetic correlation. [L – 2, P – 4]
6. Long-term response to selection. Factors affecting selection. Direct and indirect selection. [L – 2, P – 3]
1st test: Genetic parameters of quantitative traits, direct and indirect selection. [P – 3]
7. Mating strategies. Random and assortative mating. [L – 2, P – 3]
8. Purebreeding and crossbreeding. [L – 2]
9. Purebreeding. Inbreeding, outbreeding, relationship. Inbreeding depression. [L – 2, P – 3]
10. Crossbreeding. Crossbreeding systems, effects of heterosis. [L – 2, P – 3]
11. Computational techniques in animal breeding – elements of matrix algebra, statistical models. [L – 2, P – 3]
12. Mixed linear model. Henderson mixed model for breeding value estimation. [L – 3, P – 4]
13. Breeding value estimation. Selection index. BLUP "animal model". [L – 3, P – 4]
14. Design of breeding programs. Purebreeding programs. [L – 2, P – 3]
15. Crossbreeding programs. Use of crossbreeding programs in Livestock. [L – 2, P – 3]
16. Selection organisation and information systems. [L – 2]
2nd test: mating and breeding value estimation. [P – 3]

Requirements for awarding credit points

Examination. Examination include a theoretical subjects acquired during the study course and a practical tasks on the course subjects.
All practical works and two tests should be executed. Two home works has been developed and public defended.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The organization of independent work during the semester is independently studying literature, using academic staff member consultations. Home works has been developed and public defended. Two home works: animal breeding methods for the real data analysis should be used.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Exam evaluation depends of the semester cumulative assessment: 1st test – 15%, 2nd test – 15%, home works – 10% and written examination during the session – 60%. Students who have a cumulative assessment of the study course less than 4 or wish to improve it (at least 4) hold the complex exam during the session. The exam includes practical part (40%) and theory (60%).

Compulsory reading

1. Grīslis Z., Garkāvijs F., Sprūžs J. Lopkopība. Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1991. 356 lpp.
2. Falconer, D.S. Mackay T.F.C. Introduction to Quantitative Genetics. 4th edition. Edinburgh: Longman Limited, 1996. 464 p.
3. Bourdon, R.M. Understanding Animal Breeding: Pearson New International Edition. Pearson education limited, 2014. 513 p. [LF, Dzīvnieku zinātņu institūts, 1 eks.]

Further reading

1. Lynch M., Walsh B. Genetics and Analysis of Quantitative Traits. USA: Sinauer Association, Inc., 1998. 980 p. 2. Mrode, R.A. Linear models for the prediction of animal breeding value. CAB International, 1996. 187 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Wiley. Online ISSN: 1439-0388.
2. Zinātniskie žurnāli un rakstu krājumi, kas pieejami LBTU FB abonētajās datu bāzēs.

Notes

Field professional specialization course for Bachelor study programme “Agriculture”, specialisation “Zootechnician in Breeding”