Introduction to basics of animal breeding. Importance of animal production. Species of livestock and their products, performance recording, functional traits, genetic diversity, breeding goals. Qualitative and quantitative traits. Basic knowledge of breeding methods: genetic and environmental variation, heritability, genetic correlation, estimation of breeding values, selection, mating systems.
Learning objective
Show the importance of animal production for Swiss and international agriculture. Name the livestock species, their products, systematic classification and breeding and production goals. Describe methods to measure animal performance (performance recording) and functional traits. Define the most important parameters and methods in animal breeding.
Content
Domestication, history of animal breeding. Definition, models of animal production, species of livestock, numbers, distribution. Genetic polymorphisms and their applications in animal breeding. Genetic diversity, breeds, production and breeding goals. Traits: performance, fucntional. Performance recording. herd replacement. Qualitative (monogenic) and quantitative (polygenic) traits, Mendelian genetics, quantitative genetics. Genetic and environmantal variation, heritability, genetic correlation, selection, selection response.
Lecture notes
Transparencies and single chapters of textbook are made available on homepage.
Literature
Tierzucht (Willam/Simianer) UTB 3526 (2011) Additional literature to be announced in the lecture.
Competencies
Subject-specific Competencies
Concepts and Theories
assessed
Techniques and Technologies
assessed
Method-specific Competencies
Analytical Competencies
fostered
Media and Digital Technologies
fostered
Problem-solving
fostered
Social Competencies
Cooperation and Teamwork
fostered
Performance assessment
Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)