Breeding Programs

Selection for the traits of economic importance
Faisal Ramzan
Compiled notes
Contents
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1 Introduction to Animal Breeding Programs 2
1.0.1 Decisions that are to be made by animal breeders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.1 Designing a breeding program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
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1 Introduction to Animal Breeding Programs
Over the past few decades, animal breeding has seen a considerable transformation. A select group
of eminent ”breeders,” people who appeared to possess specialized knowledge and abilities to ”breed
good livestock,” used to control the breeding of animals. Science and technology currently dominate
the animal breeding industry. Large corporations control animal breeding in some livestock species,
and the significance of independent breeders appears to have diminished. This change has occurred
for a number of reasons. First off, a sizable portion of the breeding sector has adopted scientific
concepts. However, the extent thereof varies between species. Looking was replaced by measuring,
and mathematics and scientific prediction partially took the place of intuition. Data collection and
genetic evaluation practices in livestock populations have been significantly impacted by the quick
development of computer and information technology. As a result, comparisons of breeding values
across flocks or herds, breeds, or nations are now possible. The introduction of biotechnology led
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to other significant advances, such as molecular genetics and reproductive technologies. This is
not entirely new. In the 1950s, artificial insemination (AI) was made available for cattle. Both
the organization of animal breeding programs and the rates of genetic improvement in dairy cattle
have been significantly impacted by AI technology. Other innovative technologies including ovum
collection, in-vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, cloning of individuals or genes, and selection using
genetic markers are also in use and making contributions towards enhancing the rate of genetic
gains. When and how much to invest in these technologies are the main questions, along with
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when they should be used. Such concerns require a thorough grasp of animal breeding strategies
in order to be answered.
In this regard, we have to first understand how animal breeding functions as a framework of
logically arranged choices 1. Knowing this structure will make it easier for you to put most of the
animal breeding topics together. Here, it is also crucial to realize that this concept is applicable
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at all scales e.g. individual farms, breeds, industries, and nations, and that it provides a sound
framework for approaching research and extension/advisory activity.
Generally speaking, the goal of animal breeding is to genetically enhance livestock populations
so they can produce more effectively under the anticipated production conditions in the future.
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The best animals of the present generation are chosen, and they are used as the parents of the
following generation to improve genetics. The planned framework used to genetically enhance
animal populations is known as a breeding program. The establishment and assessment of animal
breeding programs are the core topics of the discipline of animal breeding and genetics.
1.0.1 Decisions that are to be made by animal breeders

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Basically, the two most essential questions in animal breeding are: Where should I go? how do I
go there? The answers to these inquiries are necessary for managing an animal breeding program,
which can be determined in greater detail as follows:
1. What is the breeding objective, and how significant are various features in relation to one
another? Which traits need to be improved?
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2. Who or what are we measuring? Which characteristics, which species?

3. Is the use of reproductive technologies (such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer)
necessary?
4. How many and which animals should we choose to be the offspring’s parents?
5. How are the chosen males and females mated?
These questions can be summarized in Figure 1. Moreover, Figure 2 provides another, more
comprehensive method of illustrating how animal breeding decisions, including selection across
breeds, are made. This diagram, created by Cunningham in 1979, depicts the series of inquiries
that must be addressed while creating a breeding program. This framework will help you organize
your thoughts and demonstrate how various subjects relate to the overall goals of animal breeding.
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Figure 1: Decision issues in animal breeding
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1.1 Designing a breeding program

When designing a breeding program breeding methods are introduced, one often needs to strike
the correct balance between what is technologically feasible and what the decision-makers and
users within the socio-economic framework of a production system are willing to tolerate. Con-
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sumers ultimately decide which technologies are desirable or not. Consumers are becoming more
conscious of health, environmental, and animal welfare issues in the majority of western cultures.
Their purchasing behavior includes considerations for food safety and production techniques. Yet,
the sustainability of the livestock business continues to be significantly influenced by price and
production effectiveness. In order to be competitive, successful animal breeding programs must
discover the correct level of technology. Possible areas for development will be found as we exam-
ine each industry’s key components In some cases, we’ll identify reasons why these enhancements
weren’t warmly received. A key takeaway from this topic is that there are numerous parallels
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among many businesses, and when creating systems for using genetic technology, there is a lot to
be learned from past experiences in related animal industries. A few things to keep in mind about
animal breeding populations are:
• Whether formally or informally, they frequently have a hierarchical structure (a pyramid).

This implies that advancements made in elite flocks and herds will have an impact on the
genetic betterment of the overall population.
• Moving the average genetic merit is a key idea for commercial producers (and scientists).
This implies that we take the link between genetic change (quantity/quality) and money
(i.e., more profit per kilogram of weight) to be (linear).
A scheme of a breeding program has been presented in Figure 3. Moving forward in this course,
this scheme should always be kept in mind.
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Figure 2: General Strategy of Livestock Improvement. Source: Cunningham, (1979).
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Figure 3: Schematics of a breeding program

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Selection for the traits of economic importance

1.0.1 Decisions that are to be made by animal breeders

2. Who or what are we measuring? Which characteristics, which species?

1.1 Designing a breeding program

• Whether formally or informally, they frequently have a hierarchical structure (a pyramid).

Figure 2: General Strategy of Livestock Improvement. Source: Cunningham, (1979).

Figure 3: Schematics of a breeding program

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