Animal breeding and response to genetic selection

Question 1

Explain the difference between a terminal and rotational breeding method

Answer 1

• Terminal= all animals bought in from outside of herd; allows you to pick more specifically for traits
• Rotational: two or more crossbred herds formed and animals from one mated with animals from the other. Replacement not bought from outside herd.

Question 2

What is a Meidam pig?

Answer 2

• Crossbreed
• Increased teat number
• Increase milk yield
• Calmer maternal temperament
• Good commercial carcass

Question 3

What is backcrossing?

Answer 3

When you outbreed characteristics, you then breed back again and end up with something the looks like the desired breed but it is heterozygous= healthier.

Question 4

How do you quantify the response to selection?

Answer 4

-It is the change in mean performance in a population of animals as a result of selection.