792-275 Animal Genetics and Breeding

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The objective of this subject is to enable participants to gain basic understanding of genetic principles behind the practices of animal breeding programs. On completion of this subject, participants should be able to:

• describe the structure of genes and demonstrate an understanding of their functions;

• discuss the range of genetic evaluation programs and their use in breeding systems;

• describe how genes are transmitted from parent to offspring;

• describe the differences between homozygosity, heterozygosity and hemizygosity and their implications on genotypes and phenotypes;

• define simple mechanisms of allelic interaction such as dominance, recessiveness and codominance, and epistasis as an example off non-allelic interaction;

• appreciate the role of environmental variables in modifying the potential expression of superior genotypes of animals in agricultural systems;

• discuss the importance of accurate measurements and recording of production traits; and

• describe various selection methods for single and multiple traits, and their practical applications and limitations.

The content includes evaluation of problems relating to reproductive performance of grazing and housed animals, selection methods and achieving genetic gain, setting of breeding objectives and aiming to achieve these objectives; performance criteria: the principles involved in developing a program for genetic improvement in an animal enterprise; performance recording schemes and the use of these to aid selection, selection of animals visually and using performance records; and advanced reproductive techniques.

Assessment

2-hour examination (80%); Four assignments of 250 words each (5% each).