Animal Breeding Methods and Sustainability

Author(s):  
Agustin Blasco

The formal application of certain animal breeding methods has been investigated in the laboratory propagation of a chalcid parasite, Microplectron fuscipennis Zett. An account is given of the methods used with reference to their value in the propagation of other insect parasites. Through selective breeding, laboratory production permitted the distribution of 889 million parasites over the spruce sawfly infested area in Canada. Selection in the breeding lines brought about a continuous decrease in the number of sterile males from 35 to 2%; an increase in the mean number of offspring per mother from 34 to 68 and an almost equal reduction in variability of development, oviposition and length of adult life. Tests are reported on the effects of inbreeding and outbreeding on these lines using wild and laboratory-reared stock.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 62-72
Author(s):  
O. Zhukorsky ◽  
O. Nykyforuk ◽  
N. Boltyk

Aim. Proper development of animal breeding in the conditions of current global problems and the decrease of anthropogenic burden on environment due to greenhouse gas emissions, caused by animal breeding activity, require the study of interaction processes between animal breeding and external climatic conditions. Methods. The theoretical substantiation of the problem was performed based on scientifi c literature, statistical informa- tion of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the data of the National greenhouse gas emissions inventory in Ukraine. Theoretically possible emissions of greenhouse gases into atmosphere due to animal breeding in Ukraine and specifi c farms are calculated by the international methods using the statistical infor- mation about animal breeding in Ukraine and the economic-technological information of the activity of the investigated farms. Results. The interaction between the animal breeding production and weather-and-climate conditions of environment was analyzed. Possible vectors of activity for the industry, which promote global warming and negative processes, related to it, were determined. The main factors, affecting the formation of greenhouse gases from the activity of enterprises, aimed at animal breeding production, were characterized. Literature data, statistical data and calculations were used to analyze the role of animal breeding in the green- house gas emissions in global and national framework as well as at the level of specifi c farms with the consid- eration of individual specifi cities of these farms. Conclusions. Current global problems require clear balance between constant development of sustainable animal breeding and the decrease of the carbon footprint due to the activity of animal breeding.


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