History of Animal Breeding

Genetics definition

the science of dealing with heredity and variation, seeking to discover laws governing similarities and differences in induviduals related by decent

Animal genetics

study of the principles of inheritance in animals

Animal breeding

the application of the principles of animal genetics with the goal of improvement of animals

Improvement of animals looks at

performance: qualitative and quantitative

Selection

main tool in genetic improvement of economic merit, determination of the parents of the next generation

Natural selection qualities

strength, size, intelligence, color, defensive strategies, flexibility, longevity

Domestication

allowed us to be sedentary, animal breeding started domestication and then started artificial selection

Robert Bakewell

father of animal breeding, worked with sheep and horses, purebred concept

Purebred concept

“in and in”, inbreeding mating system

Robert Bakewell process

set goals, developed early bull progeny test, developed record system (production records and pedigrees)

Self domestication breed development

1) selection for tameness

2) strict captivity - limit breeding

3) intentional breeding

4) trait standardization

5) eliminate wild species (genes)

Human domestication breed development

1) control herd movement

2) eliminate “problems”

3) selection for tameness

4) strict captivity - limit breeding

5) intentional breeding

6) trait standardization

7) eliminate wild species (genes)

Dairy genetic selection effect

35% more milk with 63% less cows than 65 years ago

Swine genetic selection effect

change in feed efficiency and phenotype, fat → lean

sheep genetic selection effect

wool increased volume 4x/fleece

chicken genetic selection effect

laying 15-30 eggs per year to 300 eggs per year

broiler development from 12 weeks to 42 days

turkey genetic selection effect

AI required

beef genetic selection effect

little real change

horse genetic selection effect

little real change

dogs genetic selection effect

creating genetic wrecks

cats genetic selection effect

trying to create genetic wrecks