Genetic Improvement of Livestock

Description

Course Description Contents: In this course you will learn more about the quantitative genetic principles underlying the design and implementation of genetic improvement programs in livestock species. Principles which also apply to breeding programs for other species such as companion animals (e.g. dogs, horses), insects and aquaculture species. Different elements related to the design of breeding programs will be covered. This course is part of the specialisation ‘Genetics and Biodiversity’ and can be used as a prerequisite for a thesis in the thesis track ‘Animal Breeding and Genomics’ (specialisation A) in the MSc Animal Sciences programme. If you are interested in selective breeding and working in the breeding sector, this is the course for you. Through lectures, guest lectures (by experts from the breeding sector), (ICT-)practicals and an elaborate breeding scheme case study, you will learn important and valuable skills that are required to design breeding programs. Learning Outcomes: learning outcomes After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to: Respond, in writing, on questions concerning basic theory and principles of genetic improvement of livestock as presented in the lectures and lecture notes Apply and derive variances and covariances for single and multiple trait selection indices Derive breeding goals based on information on economic and societal properties of the production system Understand and derive elements of the mixed model equations Estimate breeding values from small data sets using the mixed model equations Predict the rate of genetic improvement of alternative breeding programs Understand how inbreeding can be managed in breeding programs Explain the underlying principles of genomic selection and its consequences for the structure of breeding programs Reflect on elements related to socially accountable breeding schemes Activities: Lectures; Guest lectures; Experts from the breeding sector will provided insight in how theory is translated into practice Practicals; (ICT-)practicals; Case study: develop a breeding program for an animal species of choice. For the case study you will work together with fellow students on optimizing a multi-trait breeding program in a species of your choice (e.g. cattle, pigs, horses, poultry, dogs, sheep, alpacas, etc.). You will start with a “basic scheme”, which is a traditional breeding scheme without genomic information. Subsequently, you will incorporate genomic information into your breeding scheme. This case study will teach you how to model a breeding program and understand how response to selection for multiple traits is affected by genetic parameters, economic values and information on different traits. As you develop your breeding scheme, you will learn how different elements of a breeding program are connected and how they affect selection response and inbreeding. By the end of the case study you will understand how genomic information might change different elements of a breeding program. Assumed Knowledge: ABG20306, knowledge on matrix algebra, basic stastistics such as variance, covariance, correlation, regression Examination: Assessment method(s) Weighting (%) Minimum grade Validity* Individual Performance 0 Pass 1 Attendance to practicals is obligatory and allows participation in the written exam. Individual Written test with open questions 80 5,50 5 Lecture notes are not allowed at the exam, but a formula sheet with equations will be provided. Please bring a calculator to the exam. Group Assignment other 20 5,50 5 Case study (develop breeding program). 15% of the mark is based on the report and 5% is based on the presentation. The group performance is assessed (n=3-4). Individual students have to provide feedback on the mid-term report of other groups and this feedback should be of sufficient level. Mark for individual students can deviate from the group mark if there are indications that an individual's contribution to the group work is insufficient (“free-riders”). *The duration of the validity is expressed as years after the academic year in which a passing grade for this assessment was obtained. Literature: Lecture notes, practicals; study guide. Information will be provided in Brightspace. Software used in this course: SelAction Practical information and Schedule Credits: 6 ECTS Language of Instruction: English Mode of Delivery: Taught on the Campus Campus Location: Wageningen Chair Group: Animal Breeding and Genomics Course Schedule: Link to the most recent course schedule Teaching Methods Below find the contact hours and teaching methods for this course. Teaching methods are expressed in credits study load (one credit equals 28 clock hours and study load includes alle necessary activities like preparation, contact hours and self study). Contact hours are expressed in time slots of 40 minutes. Teaching Methods: Contact hours:: 27 Credits:: 3,5; Contact hours:: 24 Credits:: 1,0; Contact hours:: 21 Credits:: 1,5 Grading of this course Grading scale: Grades (0-10) Course Periods Offered and Registration Below find in which period(s) the course is offered, how to register for this course and what course registration deadlines apply. For a complete overview, check our Academic Calender. Registration through OSIRIS Student: You can register through OSIRIS Student up to the deadline mentioned. Course Schedule: Link to the most recent course schedule Periods and deadlines for registration: Timeslot(s): Morning Registration Period: 1 June 2025 until 28 September 2025 23:59 Deregistration period: until 28 September 2025 23:59 Staff The course coordinator, examiner and lecturers of this course are mentioned below. When a special contact person or contact email address for this course applies, this is listed below the lecturers. When applicable, please use that way to contact the course team. Otherwise, contact the course coordinator to contact the course team. Staff: Email-address: henk.bovenhuis@wur.nl; Email-address: harmen.doekes@wur.nl Email-address: henk.bovenhuis@wur.nl; Email-address: harmen.doekes@wur.nl Email-address: bart.ducro@wur.nl Email-address: henk.bovenhuis@wur.nl