Understand the genetic and statistic principles that enable responsible animal breeding. Learn how to set up a breeding programme and apply genetic models and tools to predict the breeding value. Subscribe to this online course now.
Course Details
| Language | English |
| Duration | 6 weeks |
| Effort | 4-6 hrs/wk |
Description
Implementation & evaluation of breeding programs Animal breeding, and especially breeding of farm animals and aquaculture species, has developed into a professional industry with modern technologies, large-scale data collection, and analyses. This has resulted in highly efficient and effective breeding programs. However, in many developing countries, and for many lesser-known livestock and fish species, there is a need for tailor-made breeding programs. In this course, you will learn about the implementation and evaluation of both large-scale industrial and tailor-made breeding programs, focusing on genetic progress and genetic diversity. Together with other learners, you will explore the reasons behind crossbreeding and its role in the dissemination of genetic improvement. You will learn how key biological factors influence the structure of a breeding program and gain an understanding of the different breeding program designs used in practice. Through knowledge clips and assignments, you will learn how to properly evaluate breeding programs and assess the effects of legislation, competition, genotype-by-environment interactions (GxE), and emerging technologies on breeding outcomes. Eliminating diseases Two sections of the course are devoted to genetic diversity and, more specifically, to (i) monogenic recessive disorders and (ii) genetic diversity at the population level. Monogenic recessive disorders play an important role in breeding programs for companion animals such as dogs and horses. Modern DNA sequencing technologies now make it possible to detect these mutations and develop breeding strategies aimed at eliminating inherited diseases. You will also learn why maintaining genetic diversity at the population level is essential for preserving flexibility and long-term population health. The course covers methods for monitoring and conserving genetic diversity within breeding programs. By the end of the course, you will be able to make informed decisions when setting up a breeding program for a specific animal and production system, and recognize key elements of successful breeding programs in real-world applications. This course is open to anyone interested in animal breeding and breeding program design, from students and researchers to animal breeding professionals. It is particularly useful for breeders of cows, poultry, horses, pigs, dogs, sheep, goats, fish, and prawns or shrimp who want to learn how to implement, evaluate, and improve breeding programs while balancing genetic progress and genetic diversity. After successful completion of this course, you will be able to:About This Course
For whomWhat You Will Learn
Grow these skills
Prerequisites
Please know that knowledge of statistics at a 2nd or 3rd year university level is needed to follow this course successfully.
Plan
Module 1: Introduction to Animal Breeding
Explore the seven steps required to set up a breeding program and understand how modern breeding systems are structured and implemented.
Module 2: The Breeding Goal
Learn how to define a breeding goal for both genetic improvement and the maintenance of genetic diversity, and understand the key characteristics of effective breeding objectives.
Module 3: Collection of Information and Family Relationships
Examine the use of performance data, pedigree information, and DNA information in breeding programs. Learn how relationships and inbreeding are quantified and what consequences they have for populations.
Module 4: Genetic Models
Understand the principles of genetic models and how to apply them to different traits. Learn key concepts such as heritability, repeatability, common environment effects, and Mendelian sampling.
Module 5: Ranking the Animals
Learn how to estimate breeding values using phenotypic and genomic information, and how to assess the accuracy of estimated breeding values.
Module 6: Response to Selection
Explore how to calculate genetic gain from selection, understand the trade-offs involved, and examine mating strategies and their long-term impact on inbreeding.
Learner Testimonials
''This course is very important especially developing countries like Africa where there is no well planned Breeding policy for the different farm animals. Because of this, they couldn't get the expected production and productivity is very low.''
''All the course organizers were well prepared and knowledgeable. That was very respectful of their learners and the profession of animal breeding. I can now see why Wageningen University is a leader in teaching and research of animal science!''
