Aquaculture breeding.

This chapter reviews the state of play in aquaculture breeding and presents an outlook, together with opportunities and challenges, for this sector.

Dairy cattle breeding.

This chapter discussed the effects of applying the different principles in animal breeding such genetic analysis, predicting breeding values, use of tools and breeding technology, selection response within breeds, and strategies for genetic improvements in dairy cattle.

Analysing genetic variation in farm animals.

In this chapter, topics focused on how to quantify the extent to which genes affect measured traits and how to use this information in breeding programmes. Highlights include: estimating heritability; estimating non-additive parameters, correlations, and genotype by environment interactions, molecular genetics and trait variations; and calculating inbreeding using SNP markers.

Strategies for genetic improvement.

In this chapter, the main strategies for genetic improvement are discussed. Highlights focused on the structure of livestock breeding industries, selection, crossbreeding, and conservation of genetic resosurces.

Future directions.

The purpose of this final chapter is to explore some of the key challenges facing farm animal production in general, and animal breeding and genetics in particular, and to discuss how livestock breeders might respond to ensure wide societal and animal benefits.

Sheep and goat breeding.

This chapter highlights the application of genetic principles in sheep and goat breeding such as chromosome analysis, prediction of breeding values, and the use of the latest tools and technology in animal breeding.

Beef cattle breeding.

This chapter highlights the application of genetic principles such as strategies for genetic improvements, selection response within breeds, tools and technologies in animal breeding, genetic analysis, and predicting values in beef cattle.

Predicting breeding values.

This chapter discusses approaches to predicting breeding values and presents an outline of the steps that are required to obtain the most appropriate breeding values for any species. This process of predicting breeding values is often termed genetic evaluation.

What affects response to selection within breeds?

In this chapter, the factors which affect responses to within-breed selection, and some of the tools and technologies used, especially for more effective within-breed selection are discussed. Highlights focused on the factors affecting rates of genetic gain, and controlling inbreeding.

The origins and rôles of today's livestock breeds.

The huge variety of animal and other species that we see today, together with those now extinct, evolved by the process of natural selection. The key to natural selection, and to the artificial selection practised by breeders, is the inherited variation in many characteristics that exists between individual animals. Domestication of animals began 12,000 to 10,000 years ago. Whether or not it has been done knowingly, artificial selection, as well as natural selection, has been practised among domestic animals ever since then. Although distinct breeds or strains of cattle and sheep existed long before then, the practices of pedigree recording and selection of related animals with the aim of breed improvement date from the mid-1700s. The formation of herd books began early in the following century. Livestock continue to have a wide range of important rôles globally, with a range of positive and negative societal and environmental impacts, which need to be managed and balanced.