The introduction to the basics of animal breeding covers the most important performance characteristics of farm animals and discusses the importance of animal production. The inheritance patterns of qualitative and quantitative traits are shown and the terms kinship, inbreeding, heritability, selection intensity, breeding value and breeding success are explained in detail.

Theory and application of breeding methods. Methods to estimate genetic parameters and breeding values. Theory of selection and methods to estimate selection response. Special aspects of breeding of different species of livestock. Application of breeding methods in breeding programmes.

Swiss routine breeding value estimation/genetic evaluation systems of cattle, pig, sheep and goats are presented with methods and evaluated traits. Examples will be demonstrated using the statistical software R.

Swiss routine breeding value estimation/genetic evaluation systems of domestic species are presented with methods and evaluated traits. Examples will be demonstrated using the statistical software R.

Genomic selection is currently the method of choice for improving the genetic potential of selection candidates in livestock breeding programs. This lecture introduces the reason why regression cannot be used in genomic selection. Alternatives to regression analysis that are suitable for genomic selection are presented. The concepts introduced are illustrated by excersises in R.

Fallbeispiele aus der Forschung entlang der Nahrungsmittelkette

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The course provides methods to use molecular genetics information in livestock breeding. First, linkage disequilibrium, its measurement and applications are introduced. QTL mapping, marker assisted selection and estimation of breeding values as well as an introduction to genomic selection are further topics. The theory is applied in assignments.

Introduction to basics of quantitative and population genetics, especially in relation to applications in animal breeding. Topics are genetic structure of a population and mechanisms to change it, causes of variation of quantitative traits, population genetic models and estimation of genetic parameters, selection, estimation of breeding values and mating systems.

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The course provides the scientific basis of the central aspects in ruminants of cattle, sheep and goat breeding, diseases and the interrelationship of animal nutrition and environment. Aspects of organic farming and tropical livestock systems form part of the course. Means of knowledge transfer include interdisciplinary approaches, disciplinary parts, web-based learning and self-study.

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No description available.