Animal breeding programmes
Animal breeding programmes are set up with the aim to exploit genetic variation in a sustainable way. There are genetic improvement programmes, within and between breeds. These programmes enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the animal food production in the EU. Key in genetic improvement programmes is the estimation of breeding values. Breeding values are the genetic values of an individual determined by the offspring, this can be based on individual traits or selection index. Breeding programmes have improved as the understanding of the genetic mechanism has increased significantly, just as the range of characteristics and this is a continues process.
The optimal design of the improvement and dissemination programmes is influenced by genetics and reproduction techniques. The programmes have to contribute to the desired genetic improvement, while restricting the degree of inbreeding. Safe exploitation of genetic variation between animals is another main point of the programmes. This is important in order to: |
- Offer consumers in and outside of Europe food products which have a better quality, are healthy, affordable and diverse, which can contribute to improving their quality of life.
- Promote a more sustainable agriculture and aquaculture; including priorities on non-food functions of animals, such as pleasure, leisure or in the medical area.
- Improve the competitiveness of European agriculture and aquaculture and its organisations.
- Make a basis for implementing high-quality and sustainable breeding strategies in developing countries.
Understanding of the genetic mechanism has increased significantly in the past years, just as the range of characteristics. This also requires continuous improvement of the breeding programmes itself.
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The animal breeding process starts with setting a goal; the breeder identifies traits that deliver improvements, for example for animals that show to be less susceptible for a certain disease. This requires thinking ahead, as breeding developments will have an impact on the sector in the future.
The next step is selection; animals or groups of animals with the desired genetic traits are selected. Selection indices help to turn the breeding goal into practical selection decisions. In a selection indices potential breeding animals are ranked according to their overall scores for several traits.
Genetics and genomics techniques have improved the ability to select animals on certain traits.
The third step is to use the selected animals for mating, the reproduction. This leads to producing offspring: the next generation animals.
The last step is to evaluate the next generation animals, to check if the desired improvements have been achieved, and to reassess the breeding goals.
The next step is selection; animals or groups of animals with the desired genetic traits are selected. Selection indices help to turn the breeding goal into practical selection decisions. In a selection indices potential breeding animals are ranked according to their overall scores for several traits.
Genetics and genomics techniques have improved the ability to select animals on certain traits.
The third step is to use the selected animals for mating, the reproduction. This leads to producing offspring: the next generation animals.
The last step is to evaluate the next generation animals, to check if the desired improvements have been achieved, and to reassess the breeding goals.
Reproductive techniques
Reproduction techniques improve and optimise breeding programmes. Read more. |