Family planning pays dividends

Plan and implement animal breeding programs using genetic theory, practical applications to daily husbandry practice, and management of animal breeding programs. This course includes a sound introduction to genetics. Relevant to any type of animal. Personal guidance from highly qualified and experienced animal scientists and practitioners. Topics covered include: introduction to genetics; selection; pure breeding; introduction to cross breeding; cross breeding and livestock improvement.

Animal breeding can be anything from a serious hobby or part time business (eg. breeding and selling pets), through to a very serious and possibly highly sophisticated profession.  This course provides an excellent starting point whatever level you plan to operate at.

There are 7 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Genetics
2. Genetics
3. Selection
4. Pure Breeding
5. Introduction to Cross Breeding
6. Cross Breeding
7. Livestock Improvement

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

• Explain genetic influence on the characteristics exhibited by animals.
• Explain the factors that interact with genes to produce nonconformity in animals.
• Develop procedures to select animals for a breeding program.
• Develop an animal straight breeding program.
• Develop an animal cross breeding program.
• Explain the commercial methods used to breed farm animals.

• Explain how genes control the inheritance of characteristics, using two specific examples of animal breeding.
• Distinguish between the phenotype and the genotype, of a specified farm animal.
• Distinguish between dominant and recessive gene pairs.
• Explain the differences in the function of chromosomes, of a specified fowl, when compared with a specified mammalian farm animal.
• Describe the linkage of gender with the expression of non-sex character traits, in a specified farm animal.
• Explain the role of mutation in animal breeding, including both positive and negative aspects.
• Explain the role of the environment in all factors which determine genetic expression in animals.
• Explain the relevance of hybrid vigour to breeding different animals, including; *chickens *pigs *sheep
• Explain heritability in different classes of livestock, including: * dairy cattle *beef cattle *pigs *sheep.
• Develop a set of aims for a breeding program, for a chosen farm animal.
• Develop a checklist of criteria for selecting animals in a breeding program for a specified type of farm animal.