Animal Breeding and Livestock Improvement

1. Understand the principles of animal breeding and livestock improvement.
2. Identify and measure production traits in various livestock species.
3. Apply selection methods to improve livestock performance.
4. Conduct performance and progeny testing.
5. Incorporate genetic markers and major genes in breeding programmes.
6. Perform DNA tests and segregation analysis for genetic disorders.
7. Determine associations between genetic markers and quantitative trait loci (QTL).

13 weeks, about 78 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Production Traits, Their Measurements and Evaluation

   • Unit 1: Production Traits in Cattle · 3 hours

     Define production traits in cattle, horses, swine, sheep, and poultry.. Explain the importance of measuring and evaluating these traits.. Discuss the impact of these traits on livestock production..

   • Unit 2: Production Traits in Beef/Milk Production · 3 hours

     Describe pregnancy traits and their measurement in cattle.. Explain calving ease and its impact on production.. Discuss the importance of birth weight, weaning weight, and yearling weight..

2. Week 2Module 2: Selection for Breeding for Improvement

   • Unit 1: Measuring Performance · 3 hours

     Understand the importance of measuring performance in animal selection.. Explain the concept of performance testing and its variations among species.. Discuss the role of seed stock and commercial producers in performance testing programs..

   • Unit 2: Selection Using Information on Relatives · 3 hours

     Explain the use of pedigree data in selection decisions.. Understand the use of progeny data in selection decisions.. Differentiate between subjective and objective information in selection..

3. Week 3Module 3: Breeding Systems and Selection Methods

   • Unit 1: Introduction to Selection · 3 hours

     Define natural selection and its impact on wild and domestic species.. Explain artificial selection, including replacement selection and culling.. Understand the differences between natural and artificial selection..

   • Unit 2: Selection Methods · 3 hours

     Describe tandem selection and its efficiency.. Explain independent culling and its application.. Understand selection index and its advantages..

4. Week 4Module 3: Breeding Systems and Selection Methods

   • Unit 3: Family Selection · 3 hours

     Explain family selection and its use.. Understand within-family selection and its application.. Discuss combined selection and sib selection..

   • Unit 4: Progeny and Pedigree Selection · 3 hours

     Describe progeny averages and their use in selection.. Explain pedigree selection and its limitations.. Understand recurrent selection and reciprocal recurrent selection..

5. Week 5Module 4: Performance Testing and Progeny Testing

   • Unit 1: Performance Testing · 3 hours

     Understand the importance of performance testing in breed improvement.. Explain the role of performance testing in formulating breeding objectives.. Discuss the impact of performance testing on commercial producers..

   • Unit 2: Performance Testing Procedure · 3 hours

     Describe the performance testing procedure in Irish Cattle Breeding Federation.. Explain the advantages of performance testing.. Discuss the disadvantages of performance testing..

6. Week 6Module 4: Performance Testing and Progeny Testing

   • Unit 3: Progeny Testing · 3 hours

     Define progeny testing and its importance.. Explain the use of progeny testing in identifying superior individuals.. Understand the application of progeny testing for sex-limited traits..

   • Unit 4: Progeny Testing Procedure · 3 hours

     Describe a typical breeding design for a Progeny Testing Programme.. Explain the factors that affect the usefulness of Progeny Testing.. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Progeny Testing..

7. Week 7Module 5: Identifying And Incorporating Genetic Markers and Major Genes in Animal Breeding Programmes

   • Unit 1: Molecular Markers · 3 hours

     Define molecular markers and major genes.. Explain the role of molecular markers in animal genetics studies.. Understand the different types of molecular markers..

   • Unit 2: Types of Molecular Markers · 3 hours

     Describe VNTRs, RFLPs, RAPDs, AFLPs, and SNPs.. Explain how to identify molecular markers.. Understand gel electrophoresis and Southern blot techniques..

8. Week 8Module 5: Identifying And Incorporating Genetic Markers and Major Genes in Animal Breeding Programmes

   • Unit 3: Major Genes · 3 hours

     Define major genes and their characteristics.. Explain the detection and use of major genes.. Understand how to incorporate genetic markers and major genes in animal breeding programmes..

   • Unit 4: Marker Assisted Selection · 3 hours

     Describe marker-assisted selection (MAS).. Explain marker-assisted introgression.. Understand the benefits of MAS in animal breeding..

9. Week 9Module 6: Dna Tests

   • Unit 1: DNA Tests · 3 hours

     Define DNA tests and their purpose.. Explain prenatal testing and newborn screening.. Understand carrier screening and diagnostic testing..

   • Unit 2: Types of DNA Tests · 3 hours

     Describe preimplantation testing and predictive testing.. Explain forensic testing.. Understand the methods and techniques used in genetic testing..

10. Week 10Module 6: Dna Tests

    • Unit 3: Genetic Testing Techniques · 3 hours

      Explain polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing.. Understand indirect gene tracking (linkage analysis).. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of genetic screening..

    • Unit 4: Segregation Analysis · 3 hours

      Define segregation analysis and its purpose.. Explain complex segregation analysis.. Understand the ethical issues associated with genetic testing..

11. Week 11Module 7: Determining Associations Between Genetic Markers And Quantitative Trait Locus (Qtl)

    • Unit 1: Quantitative Traits · 3 hours

      Define quantitative traits and quantitative trait locus (QTL).. Explain the principles of genetic mapping population.. Understand the methods of determining associations between genetic markers and QTL..

    • Unit 2: QTL Mapping · 3 hours

      Describe quantitative trait locus mapping.. Explain the factors affecting the probability of success in QTL mapping.. Understand the goals of QTL mapping projects..

12. Week 12Module 7: Determining Associations Between Genetic Markers And Quantitative Trait Locus (Qtl)

    • Unit 3: Genetic Mapping · 3 hours

      Explain linkage mapping and association mapping.. Understand the principles of genetic mapping population.. Discuss the use of molecular markers in genetic maps..

    • Unit 4: Association Studies · 3 hours

      Describe positional cloning and association mapping.. Explain the steps involved in association studies.. Understand the factors that affect linkage disequilibrium (LD)..

13. Week 13Final Revision

    • Final Revision · 6 hours

      Review all modules and units.. Complete assignments and prepare for final examination..