Crossbreeding Flashcards
Define Outbreeding.
Mating of individuals of the same breed that are more distantly related than average for the population.
An F1 cross is ____________________________.
The first cross between two purebred parents.
Define crossbreeding.
Mating of individuals from different breeds or lines
Who utilizes crossbreeding?
Commercial producers
Heterosis can also be called ________________________.
hybrid vigor
Define heterosis/hybrid vigor.
The increase in the performance of crosses (hybrids) between diverse parents such that the progeny is superior to the parent average.
Define complementarity
Combining breeds to take advantage of the best characteristics of both breeds
When is it important to know the breeding goals?
Always!
How do you know what traits to focus on when crossbreeding?
Depends on your breeding goals
What are the four types of crossbreeding systems?
- commercial straightbreeding
- composite breeds managed as straightbreeds
- rotations
- terminal sire systems
Define straightbreeding.
Using males and females of the same breed to produce purebred offspring.
What is a benefit of straightbreeding?
Improved uniformity
What is a downside of straightbreeding?
- no benefit of heterosis
- no breed complementarity
Define topcrossing/backcrossing.
Mating purebred sires of a particular breed to crossbred females to increase the % of that particular breed in the offspring.
Define grading up.
Mating purebred sires of a particular breed to crossbred females from the previous generation to increase the % of that particular breed in the offspring.
