II. Cattle, sheep and goat breeding Flashcards
Topic 1 – Domestication of cattle, micro-evolutionary consequences
TAXONOMY
Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Suborder: Ruminantia Family: Bovidae Subfamily: Bovinae (cattle) Genus: Bos (true cattle)
Species
1• Bos PRIMIGENIUS – AUROCHS (extinct)
o Domesticated species ORIGINATE from AUROCHS
a▪ Bos primigenius TAURUS – Taurine (European) cattle
b▪ Bos primigineius INDICUS – Zebu
• Hump formed by hypertrophy of muscles
c▪ Bali cattle
• Draught animal of Indonesia
d▪ Gayal
• Sacrificial animals in Burma, East India, Bangladesh
etc.
2• Bos POEPHAGUS– YAK
o Native to Tibet & Mongolia
o Pack animals used for milk, meat, wool & skin
3• Bos GAURUS – Bos/bibos/gaur
• Bos JAVANICUS – Banteng
• Bos SAUVELIA – Kouprey.Khainag
Wild species
1• Bison
o Only two existing species, B. bison (American bison) & B. bonasus (European bison)
2• Buffalo (Genus BUBALUS)
o Variable chromosome number
(Asian water bufallo =48; river buffalo = 50)
Interspecies hybrids
• Bison (buffalo) x Yak ! YAKALO
Topic 1 – Domestication of cattle, micro-evolutionary consequences
DOMESTICATION
Domestication of AUROCHS began in southern Caucasus/northern MESOPOTAMIA from
~8th millennium BC
Domestication caused such drastic physiological changes that modern domestic cattle are now considered to be a separate species.
FERAL cattle: Aleutian wild cattle, CHILLINGHAM cattle, Enderby Island cattle,
Ushuaia wild cattle
Topic 1 – Domestication of cattle, micro-evolutionary consequences
TERMINOLOGY
- BULL: Entire, adult male
(proven fertile ! AI, breeding, listed bull) - SIRE: Father of an animal (used in dairy breeding)
- COW: Adult female who has had at least one calf.
▪ In-calf/pregnant cow
▪ Nurse cow
▪ Lactating cow
▪ Dairy cows
▪ Dry cows - DAM: Mother of an animal (used in dairy breeding)
5. CALF: Young cattle ▪ Bull calf ▪ Heifer calf ▪ WEANERS (up to 1 yr) ▪ Yearlings ▪ VEAL calves
- HEIFER: Young female before her 1st calf
▪ IN-CALF heifer – Young female pregnant with her 1st calf - STEER: Castrated male
▪ Draft steer <4yrs = working steer - STAG: Castrated adult bull (occurs rarely)
- OX: Castrated male (or occasionally a cow) used for draft work
- FREEMARTIN: Female animal who is the twin of a bull (infertile partial intersex)
- BEEF: Cattle raised for human consumption
Topic 1 – Domestication of cattle, micro-evolutionary consequences
USE of CATTLE
Uses of cattle 1• Beef & Dairy 2• Draught 3• Leather production (cattle hides) 4• Sports – Rodeo, bullfighting 5• Religion – Sacrificial cows (Hindu)
Topic 2 – Breeding goals and characteristics (traits) of dairy cattle, milk
properties
Most important performance traits used in dairy cattle selection:
1• Milk performance (during first 305 days lactation)
-o Average milk yield (kg)
-o Max daily milk yield (kg)
-o FCM – Fat corrected milk yield (kg)
-o Fat yield (kg)
-o Protein yield (kg)
2• Chemical composition
- o Fat content (%)
- o Protein content (%)
- o PFR – Protein to fat ration
- o FPD – Fat protein difference
- o Lactose content (%)
- o SCC (somatic cell count)
Topic 3 – Breeding goal and characteristics (traits) of beef and dual purpose
cattle
Most important performance traits of beef cattle
- Reproductive performance
- Growth & gain performance
- Carcass Merit
Topic 3 – Breeding goal and characteristics (traits) of beef and dual purpose
cattle
- Reproductive performance
Reproductive performance
1• CONCEPTION RATE
o Calf crop percentage (calves born)
o Calf crop percentage (calves weaned)
2• CALVING INTEREVAL
(time elapsed between each calving)
3• BIRTH WEIGHT related to CALVING difficulty
o Calving difficulty SCORES
a) No difficulty, no assistance required
b) Minor difficulty, some assistance
c) Major difficulty, mechanical assistance
d) C-section or other surgery (prolapse etc.)
e) Abnormal presentation
4• MATERNAL/nursing abilities
5• FERTILLITY testing of bulls
6• BULL PERFORMANCE
o Average daily weight gain
o Scrotal circumference (proportional to fertility)
Topic 3 – Breeding goal and characteristics (traits) of beef and dual purpose
cattle
2. Growth & gain performance
- Birth weight
- Weaning weights (adjusted to 205 days)
- Yearling (365 days) & long yearlings (452/550)
- Post weaning rate of gain (min 140 days on test)
- Average daily weight gain
• Actual weight = Birth weight/age in days x 205 days + birth weight
Topic 3 – Breeding goal and characteristics (traits) of beef and dual purpose
cattle
3. Carcass Merit
1• Dressing percent 2• Carcass weight 3• Carcass quality 4• Fat ratio 5• Ribeye area 6• Marbling & tenderness
Topic 4 – Dairy cattle breeding technologies, milk production and hygiene
- Most DAIRY farms sell MALE CALVES for VEAL production or breeding (depending on quality) &
- Keep heifers to replace old animals/increase herd size.
- Most dairy farms also have some arable land ! Production of silage & other feedstuffs to minimize outgoings & maximize profit
Topic 5 – Elements of beef cattle breeding technologies
- VEAL: Meat of young calves
• BOB veal – Calves culled a few days after birth
• Formula/milk fed veal – WHITE VEAL production. Animals marketed ~18-20weeks
• RED/grain fed VEAL –
Animals marketed around 22-26 weeks @ ~300kg
BEEF: Meat of BOVINES
ORGANIC beef: Produced without HORMONES, pesticides & other chemicals
Topic 6 – Main reproduction features, reproduction traits
REPRODUCTION TRAITS
- Dairy production: Calving is prerequisite
- Major role of bovine placental lactogene (pBL) in
mammogenesis & milk production - Beef production:
- More meat by more calvings
- Increased economy
- Maternal effects: Increase nr of offspring & genetic pool of dam - Breeding value estimation (progeny testing)
• Increases effectiveness of selection from maternal lines as well - Prolificacy genes: Great importance
(increase granulose cell function, steroid
biosynthesis, multiple ovulations, ovulation rate) - Puberty: ~8 (12-16) months
- First breeding usually occurs >15 (13-14 MONTHS) or when animal has reached ¾ adult BODY MASS
- First calving @ 2-3 YEARS. (Great breed variance)
Topic 6 – Main reproduction features, reproduction traits
General reproductive features of dam (cow)
- General reproductive features of dam (cow)
• Uniparous
• Low reproductive potential
• Long puberty
• Long gestation
• No seasonality ! Continuous POLYESTRUS!
• Continuous breeding
• Frequent embryonic losses
• LOW twinning rate (up to 5%)
• Freemartinism in twins of different sex (>90%) - Ovarian cycle: 20-21 days
- Biphasic – luteal & follicular period - Heat duration: 24-48 hours
- Oestrus signs:
- Mucous discharge
- Hyperaemic, swollen genitalia
- Standing heat by teasing
- Bulling – mounting of other females - Ovulation: Spontaneous
- 10-14 hours after finishing clinical heat
- Nr of ovulated eggs does NOT exceed 2
- Mature follicles are SMALL but palpable (dia 2-2.5cm) - First heat after calving occurs 15 days post-partum & is OFFEN SILENT.
Topic 6 – Main reproduction features, reproduction traits
Frequent cycle & ovulatory disorders
1• Anovulatory cycles – Only follicular period
2• Delayed ovulation
3• Persistent ATRESIA of follicles
4• Cystic ovaraies
5• Longer/shortened cycles
6• Corpus luteum persistens
(CLP – moderate sign of sterility causing anoestrus)
o Heat is INDUCIBLE in cows with CLP by PGF2α
7. Heat detection: Observation of behaviour & clinical signs - Tail chalking - Computer watch system - Foot tags - Rectal palpation - Ultrasound
Topic 6 – Main reproduction features, reproduction traits
GESTATION of cow
- Length: 282 (278-287) days
- Maintenance: bPL hormone
(placental lactogenic hormone) - PROGESTERONE (in CL graviditatis)
- Placental oestrogens
- Fertilization: Occurs in FALLOPIAN TUBE.
Migration to UTERUS @ day 4-5 - Implantation:
- Innesting of blastocyst @ day 21 - Long lactation period is desired (~300 days)
- Dry period: ~2 months
- Needed for udder regeneration & preparation for new
lactation
8. Pregnancy detection • Rectal palpation • Ultrasound • Hormonal tests • Pregnancy specific proteins (foetoproteins)
- Twinning
• May be desired in beef cattle production
o Selective breeding (selection of twinning ability)
o Marker assisted selection (molecular) !
Detects factors responsible for twin ovulations
• Drawbacks of twinning o 1° chimerism (freemartinism) o Dystocia o High perinatal calf losses o Retained placenta o Subinvolution of uterus o Prolonged service period o Delayed rebreeding
Topic 6 – Main reproduction features, reproduction traits
Environmental factors influencing reproduction
• Feed
• Condition
• Climate – Sensitivity to heat stress
• Hormonal factors
– Excellent response to hormonal treatment
(e.g. induction of ovulation & oestrus cycle)
Topic 6 – Main reproduction features, reproduction traits
Parameters used to evaluate reproductive performance
1• Age at 1st calving
o ~2 yrs
2• Insemination index (ave no of inseminations
o <1.4 is optimal
3• Non-return rate (result of 1st insemination)
o <60% is excellent
4• Calving interval
o 360-380 days
o May be up to 400 in high yielding cows
5.• 1st fertile heat post-parturition
o 35-40 days
6• Service period (period from 1st service to successful conception)
o <60 days is desired
7• Pregnancy rate (PR %) & calving rate
o >95%
8• STERILLITY & selection, culling rate
o <10%
9 • Embryonic & perinatal MORTALLITY
o Should remain <5-10%
10• LACTATION period
o 300 days
11• DRY period
o 60 days
Topic 7 – Most important bovine genetic diseases
In general and breed specific
Immunodeficiency Blood circulation, haemostasis Metabolic diseases (lysosomal storage diseases) Muscular Skeletal Atresia/agenesia Intersexes Endocrine Skin & coat
- Holstein: DUMPS, Complex Vertebral Malformation, Factor IX haemophilia,
hypertrichosis, oligodontia - Simmental: Platelet bleeding disorder
- Limousine: Protoporphyria
- Brown Swiss:
- Weaver syndrome
- Albinism - Dexter: Dwarfism
- Brahma: Pompe disease
- Shorthorn: Parakeratosis/bovine hereditary zinc deficiency
Topic 7 – Most important bovine genetic diseases
Immunodeficiency
- BLAD (bovine lymphocyte adhesion deficiency)
* Chediak-Higashi syndrome
Topic 7 – Most important bovine genetic diseases
Blood/Circulation diseases
Blood circulation, haemostasis • Hyperbilirubinaemia • Protoporphyria (congenital, rare, AR) • Platelet bleeding disorder • Haemophilia B (factor IX deficiency)
Topic 7 – Most important bovine genetic diseases Metabolic diseases (lysosomal storage diseases)
- Lipofuscinosis
- Gangliosidosis
- Mucopolysaccharidosis I
- Glukogenosis V
- Mannosidosis α & β
- Citrullinaemia
- DUMPS (deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase)
- Ahorn-syrup-urine disease
Topic 7 – Most important bovine genetic diseases
Muscular
• Muscular hypertrophy (DOUBLE muscling) !
Breed trait in BELGIAM BLUE
- Hypo- & dysmyelinisations (lameness of calves)
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
- Posterior paraplegia
- Lethal spastic paresis
- Weaver syndrome
Topic 7 – Most important bovine genetic diseases
Skeletal
- Chondrodysplasia & achondroplasia (Dexter cattle, AD)
- Complex vertebral malformation
- Dwarfism (proportional, STH-receptor mutation)
- Syndactylia ! Fusion of digits
- Arthrogiposis
- Apodia (lack of homeobox proteins, homeosis)
Topic 7 – Most important bovine genetic diseases
Atresia/agenesia
- Atresia coli
- Kidney dysplasia
- Nephritis
Topic 7 – Most important bovine genetic diseases
Intersexes
- XY females
- Tfm (testicular feminisation) syndrome ! Lack of androgenic receptors
- Testicular, ovarian & uterine hypoplasia
Topic 7 – Most important bovine genetic diseases
Endocrine
• Goiter in Afrikaner cattle
Topic 7 – Most important bovine genetic diseases
Skin & coat
- Albinism
- Dermatospraxis (cutaneous asthenia)
- Epitheliogenesis imperfecter
- Hypotrichosis
- Oligodontia
- Parakeratosis
Topic 7 – Most important bovine genetic diseases
Breeds
- Holstein: DUMPS, Complex Vertebral Malformation, Factor IX haemophilia,
hypertrichosis, oligodontia - Simmental: Platelet bleeding disorder
- Limousine: Protoporphyria
- Brown Swiss: Weaver syndrome
Albinism - Dexter: Dwarfism
- Brahma: Pompe disease
- Shorthorn: Parakeratosis/bovine hereditary zinc deficiency
Topic 8 – Dairy cattle breeds
(classification, characteristics, types),
production of consumption and industry milk
UK single purpose dairy breeds (Channel Island breeds)
UK single purpose dairy breeds (Channel Island breeds)
- Produce protein & fat rich milk
1. JERSEY • Small breed o Cows 360-540kg o Bulls 540-820kg • HIGH butterfat content (6%) • HIGH protein content (4%) • Annual yield = 5400kg
2. GUERNESY cattle • Buff colour with distinct white spots • Cows 450-550kg • Bulls 700-800kg • Annual yield = 5800-6000kg • Renowned for rich flavour of golden-coloured milk (high beta carotene content) o 4.6-5.0% butterfat o 3.6% protein • Low incidence of calving difficulty • Longevity
3. AYRSHIRE • Light/dark red & white • Cows 500-600kg • Bulls 750-850kg • Annual yield = 6400kg o 4% butterfat o 4% protein • Finnish Ayrshire ! 80% of cattle production in Finland
Topic 8 – Dairy cattle breeds
(classification, characteristics, types),
production of consumption and industry milk
Continental dairy breeds & predominantly dairy dual purpose breeds
SHORT
- Hostein-Fresian/Holstein
- Schwartzbunte
• Black & white spotted, dual purpose breed
3.Rotbunte
• Red & white variation of Schwartzbunte
4. Braunvieh
- Milking shorthorn (dairy shorthorn)
- Angler
- Normande
• Brown or spotted
• High fat content ! Camembert cheese production - Simmental
- Vorderwalder
- Hinterwalder
- Rotvieh
- Montbeliarde
- Normande
Topic 8 – Dairy cattle breeds
(classification, characteristics, types),
production of consumption and industry milk
Continental dairy breeds & predominantly dairy dual purpose breeds
- Hostein-Fresian/Holstein
• Highest producing large sized dairy cow
• Originated in Europe
(Holland & Friesland), developed in US from Dutch Fresian
• Hostein = North American stock; Fresian = Animals of traditional EU
ancestry ! Holstein-Fresian is a cross between the two
• Distinct black (or red) & white markings
• Annual yield = 8000-12000kg
o 3.7% butterfat
o 3.2% protein
- Mature bulls weight up to 1200kg
- Mature cows up to 700-800kg
• Heifers can be bred around 18 months (500kg)
o Breeders aim for 1st calving ~23-36months
Topic 8 – Dairy cattle breeds
(classification, characteristics, types),
production of consumption and industry milk
Continental dairy breeds & predominantly dairy dual purpose breeds
- Braunvieh
• Originates from Swiss Alps ! Hardy, resistant breed
• Annual yield = 9000kg
o 4% butterfat
o 3.5% protein
- Excellent milk for cheese production
- Long gestation period
• Large animal
o Bulls up to 1135kg
o Cows 700kg
• Docile temperament
Topic 8 – Dairy cattle breeds
(classification, characteristics, types),
production of consumption and industry milk
Continental dairy breeds & predominantly dairy dual purpose breeds
- Milking shorthorn (dairy shorthorn)
- Easy calving & management
- Economical – Can thrive on home-produced forage & grass
• Annual production = 7000kg
(over 305 days)
o 3.8% butterfat
o 3.3% protein
Topic 8 – Dairy cattle breeds
(classification, characteristics, types),
production of consumption and industry milk
Continental dairy breeds & predominantly dairy dual purpose breeds
- Angler
- Medium sized, solid dark red & brown breed
- Endangered
- Bulls 150-160cm @ withers, 1000-1100kg
- Cows 140-150cm @ withers, 600-700kg
Topic 8 – Dairy cattle breeds
(classification, characteristics, types),
production of consumption and industry milk
Continental dairy breeds & predominantly dairy dual purpose breeds
- Simmental
- Dual purpose (predominantly dairy) breed
- Red & white breed of Swiss origin
- Rapid growth
- Docile & easily manageable
- Large framed with shallow rib cage
- Exceptional milk production with calf at side
- Bull 150-160cm @ withers, 1200-1300kg
- Cow 140-150cm @ withers, 700-800kg
Topic 8 – Dairy cattle breeds
(classification, characteristics, types),
production of consumption and industry milk
Continental dairy breeds & predominantly dairy dual purpose breeds
- Vorderwalder
• Medium-sized, dark red & white spotted with white face & legs • Well adapted to highland conditions • Annual yield = 5000kg o 4% fat o 3.4% protein • Bull 125-135cm @ withers, 700-750kg • Cow 115-125cm @ withers, 450-500kg
Topic 8 – Dairy cattle breeds
(classification, characteristics, types),
production of consumption and industry milk
Continental dairy breeds & predominantly dairy dual purpose breeds
- Hinterwalder
• Smallest central European breed, endangered in Germany & Switzerland
• Annual yield = 3300kg
o 4% fat
o 3.4% protein
- Bull 125-135cm @ withers, 700-750kg
- Cow 115-125cm @ withers, 450-500kg
Topic 8 – Dairy cattle breeds
(classification, characteristics, types),
production of consumption and industry milk
Continental dairy breeds & predominantly dairy dual purpose breeds
- Rotvieh
Rotvieh • Yield = 700kg o 5% fat o 4% protein • 140cm, 650kg
Topic 8 – Dairy cattle breeds
(classification, characteristics, types),
production of consumption and industry milk
Continental dairy breeds & predominantly dairy dual purpose breeds
- Montbeliarde
• Red & white pied
• Produces milk mainly for cheese industry ! High content of Kappa Casein
BB variants
• Annual yield = 7500l
o 3.9% butterfat
o 3.35% protein
- Bulls 900-1200kg
- Cows 145cm @ withers, 600-700kg
Topic 8 – Dairy cattle breeds
(classification, characteristics, types),
production of consumption and industry milk
Continental dairy breeds & predominantly dairy dual purpose breeds
- Normande
• Well suited for cheese production
• Chestnut brown pied or black pied with white head and dark ‘spectacles’
around the eyes
- Cows 140cm, 700kg
- Bulls 152cm, 1100kg
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds (characteristics, classification, beef cattle types),
beef quality
SHORT
UK Beef Breeds
- Aberdeen Angus
- Galloway
- Highland Cattle
- South Devon
- Black Welsh/Welsh black
- Lincoln Red
- Red Lincoln
- Longhorn
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds (characteristics, classification, beef cattle types),
beef quality
UK Beef Breeds
1. Aberdeen Angus
- Naturally polled, solid black
- Ease of calving
- Hardy, undemanding
- Mature ~2yrs
- High carcass yield with good marbling
- Good natured
- Good calf rearing ability
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds (characteristics, classification, beef cattle types),
beef quality
UK Beef Breeds
2. Galloway
• Polled breed • Old Scottish breed • Steers up to 800kg • Cows ~550kg • Shaggy coat – Thick, wooly overcoat &stiff guard hairs ! well suited to harsh environments
• Black is most common colour (many variations, predominantly solid
coloured)
- Obedient, small breed
- Bull 125-135cm @ withers; 700-800kg
- Cow 115-125cm @ withers; 500-600kg
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds (characteristics, classification, beef cattle types),
beef quality
UK Beef Breeds
3. Highland Cattle
- Ancient Scottish breed
- Easily identifiable – Long, shaggy coats & large horns
- Bulls 120-130cm @ withers; 600-700kg
- Cows 115-125cm@ withers; 500-600kg
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds (characteristics, classification, beef cattle types),
beef quality
UK Beef Breeds
Hereford and Shorthorn
- Hereford
• Well-muscled, hardy breed (good foraging abilities under poor conditions)
• White face - Shorthorn (beef shorthorn)
• Red, white or roan (roan is preferred)
• Bulls up to 1000kg
• Cows up to 700kg
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds (characteristics, classification, beef cattle types),
beef quality
French beef cattle
SHORT
- Charolais
- Chambray
• Charolais x Brahmans - Limousin
- Maine-Anjou cattle
- Blonde D’Aquitaine
- Salers
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds (characteristics, classification, beef cattle types),
beef quality
French beef cattle
- Charolais
- Pure white/cream coloured
- Exceptional growth rate & muscling
- Frequently used in crossings
- Bulls 1000kg +
- Cows 700kg
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds (characteristics, classification, beef cattle types),
beef quality
French beef cattle
- Limousin
- Golden-red colouring
- Large weaning weight & muscle mass but relatively low birth weights
- Lean
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds (characteristics, classification, beef cattle types),
beef quality
French beef cattle
- Maine-Anjou cattle
- Large sized
- Easy to handle, docile
- Good marbling
- High growth rates
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds (characteristics, classification, beef cattle types),
beef quality
French beef cattle
- Blonde D’Aquitaine
- Long body with excellent muscling
- Bull 155-165cm @ withers; 1200-1300kg
- Cow 140-150cm @ withers; 800-900kg
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds (characteristics, classification, beef cattle types),
beef quality
French beef cattle
- Salers
• Oldest French cattle breed • Medium-large sized o Bulls 145-155; 900-1100kg o Cows 135-145; 700-800kg • Able to withstand extreme variations in temp • Fertile • Easy to breed • Also produces fat rich milk ! Salers cheese
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds (characteristics, classification, beef cattle types),
beef quality
Italian beef breeds
Piedmontese
Chianina
Romagnola
Maremmana
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds (characteristics, classification, beef cattle types),
beef quality
Other beef breeds
SHORT
- Belgian blue
- Hungarian Grey
- Zebu cattle breeds
- Brahman (sacred cow of Hinduism)
- Boran cattle
- White Fulani cattle
- Indo-Brazilian cattle
- Nelore
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds (characteristics, classification, beef cattle types),
beef quality
Other beef breeds
1. Belgian blue
• Double muscling
(natural mutation of gene for myostatin) ! Muscular hypertrophy
- Often require c-section
- Frequent dystocia
- Low fertility
- Lean meat
- Bull 140-150cm @ withers; 1200-1300kg
- Cow 130-140cm @ withers; 750-850kg
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds
(characteristics, classification, beef cattle types), beef quality
Other beef breeds
- Hungarian Grey
• Well adapted to extensive pasture systems
• Colour ranges from silvery white to cinereous. Calves born with reddishyellow
fur
- Robust
- Non-pretentious
- Easy to calve
- Long lived
- Originally bred for early maturity & beef quality
- Bulls 145-155cm; 800-900kg
- Cows 135-140cm; 500-600kg
Topic 9 – Beef cattle breeds
(characteristics, classification, beef cattle types), beef quality
Other beef breeds
- Zebu cattle breeds
- Brahman (sacred cow of Hinduism)
- Boran cattle
- White Fulani cattle
- Indo-Brazilian cattle
- Nelore
Topic 10 – Breeding methods in cattle production
(improvement, selection response when improving meat and dairy type, pure, line and family breeding, crossbreeding)
Breeding Systems
- Natural: Harem, stud or hand
Beef production
Sex ratio = 40-50 (60-79) - AI: Predominantly used in dairy industry
Sex ratio = 150-200
(single ejaculation. Deep-frozen semen) - Breed: A breed population is characterized by common breeding history,
reproduction unit & common breed characteristics.
Population has common gene pool.
Inheritable characteristics passed on from parents to offspring.
PUREBREEDING
• Increases allelic frequencies of favourable (desired) characteristics (inbreeding, linebreeding)
• Preservation of allelic frequencies as high as possible (maintenance
breeding, gene preservation)
CROSS BREEDING
• Introgression of specific single (major) genes ! polled, horns etc.
• Improvement of genetic level of a breed by additive gene effects of other
breeds (breed improvement by introducing new genetic material ! grading
up, crossbreds)
• New breed establishment
(composites, synthetic breeds)
• Combination of different additive genetic traits (fertility of maternal lines &
gain of paternal lines ! milk production & daily gain)
• Heterosis (hybrid vigour)
o In commercial beef production ! terminal crossings
COMMON CROSSBREEDING SYSTEM 1) Terminal cross 2 or more breeds are crossed in an organized sequential system with the final cross going to slaughter (complexity increases as more breeds are used) Sire used must provide genes for good growth rate & carcass merit to suit the market demand
2) TWO BREED CROSS
Requires a female herd of a particular breed ! One part is used to breed
replacement, purebred females, the rest are used to produce crossbred
progeny which are sold for slaughter (or females are used by another, F1
breeder)
3) BACK CROSS
One of the two parent breeds is mated back to the F1. Lends itself to
consistent product production.
4) THREE BREED CROSS
Requires min. 3 breeding paddocks
One purebred herd is used to breed purebred replacements
One herd produces F1 cows
F1 animals breed terminal slaughter animals
5) ROTATIONAL CROSS
Best uses & optimizes hybrid vigour & complimentary characteristics
Purebred bulls of 2+ breeds are used in sequential rotation over crossbred
females
6) Composite (SYNTHETIC) breed
All crossbreeding systems require the continuous input of purebred
animals.
Topic 10 – Breeding methods in cattle production
(improvement, selection response when improving meat and dairy type, pure, line and family breeding, crossbreeding)
Breeding programs
- GOAL:
- Systematic production of breeding &
commercial animals of defined pedigree & production traits
Involves breeding associations & organizations
- Corner points & requirements for SUCCESSFULL breeding programs
• Breeding population
• Marking of animals & Identification
• Safety of descent & origin of animals
o Guaranteed by mating, parturition, bloodgroups, DNA analysys
• Performance & progeny testing
• Reproduction techniques
o AI, embryo transfer, MOET
• Breeding value estimation - Breeding programs can lead to breed improvement
• Embryo transfer
• MOET
• Cloning
4. Performance testing for breeding • Milk performance • Meat performance • Reproductive performance • Fertility • Calving ease • Health • Milking ability • Conformation • Hereditary disorders
Topic 11 – Estimation of breeding value in dairy cattle production,
importance of udder evaluation
Estimating heritability
Certain literature contains data that may be used to calculate the ‘value of a breeding animal
1• Dairy traits o Milk, fat & protein yield o Lifetime actual milk, fat & protein yield o Fat, protein & lactose % o Somatic cell score o Productive life
2• Conformational traits
o Stature
o Strength
o Body
▪ Body depth, dairy form, rump angle
o Feet
▪ Foot angle, feet & leg score
o Udder features
▪ Udder attachment, udder depth, udder width, udder cleft, teat
placement, teat length
3• Health, fitness, metabolism o Dry matter intake o Body condition score o Energy balance o Incidence of mastitis, ketosis, retained placenta, metritis & other health conditions
4• Reproductive traits o Age at first calving o Calving interval o Number of inseminations o Days to first & last calving o Interval of first luteal activity
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Heritability values
SHORT
Most important performance traits in beef cattle
- Reproduction
- Growth rate & gain
- Milk production
- Conformation, height & mature size
- Carcass merit
Most traits are moderately to highly heritable ! Progress can be made through
sire selection
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Heritability values
Most important performance traits in beef cattle
- Reproduction
- Calving interval
- Fertility
- Calving ease
- Docility
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Heritability values
Most important performance traits in beef cattle
- Growth rate & gain
- Birth weight
- Gain (birth to weaning)
- Weaning weight
- Post weaning growth
- Feedlot gain
- Pasture gain
- Final feedlot weight
- Final yearling pasture weight
- Feed efficiency (feed conversion)
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Heritability values
Most important performance traits in beef cattle
- Milk production
Milk production
• Udder structure
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Heritability values
Most important performance traits in beef cattle
- Conformation, height & mature size
• Weaning score
• Yearling pasture & final feedlot score
• Weaning
o Shoulder height, creep fed, non-creep fed
o Hip height, creep fed, non-creep fed
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Heritability values
Most important performance traits in beef cattle
- Carcass merit
- Grade
- Dressing percent
- Carcass quality
- Ribeye area per hundredweight
- Fat thickness per hundredweight
- Marbling
- Tenderness
- Retail product, %
- Retail product, kg
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Detailed carcass traits & mean heritability estimates
SHORT
Carcass weight (0.40-0.50)
Dressing percentage (0.30)
Adjusted back fat thickness (0.40-0.50)
Longissimus muscle area (~0.40)
Kidney, pelvic & heart fat percentage (0.40)
Marbling score (0.40-0.50)
Yield grade (0.6)
Predicted % of retail product (0.40)
Retail product weight (0.50)
Fat weight (0.50)
Bone weight (0.50)
Actual retail product percentage (0.50-0.60)
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Detailed carcass traits & mean heritability estimates
Carcass weight
Carcass weight (0.40-0.50) • Indicates that carcass weight would respond well to selection
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Detailed carcass traits & mean heritability estimates
Dressing percentage
Dressing percentage (0.30)
• Moderately heritable
• Less reliable
(significant variability btw estimates)
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Detailed carcass traits & mean heritability estimates
Adjusted back fat thickness
Adjusted back fat thickness (0.40-0.50)
• Suggests that genetic progress to single trait selection would be possible if
records were available
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Detailed carcass traits & mean heritability estimates
Longissimus muscle area
Longissimus muscle area (~0.40)
• Easy measurment
• Indicates that longissimus muscle is moderately heritable & genetic gain
might be achieved through selection
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Detailed carcass traits & mean heritability estimates
Kidney, pelvic & heart fat percentage
Kidney, pelvic & heart fat percentage (0.40)
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Detailed carcass traits & mean heritability estimates
Marbling score
Marbling score (0.40-0.50) • One of most genetically evaluated carcass traits
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Detailed carcass traits & mean heritability estimates
Yield grade
Yield grade (0.6) • Highly heritable trait • Genetic merit may be improved through selection
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Detailed carcass traits & mean heritability estimates
Predicted % of retail product
Predicted % of retail product (0.40)
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Detailed carcass traits & mean heritability estimates
Retail product weight
Retail product weight (0.50)
• Significant genetic variation exists to improve retail product weight by
selection
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Detailed carcass traits & mean heritability estimates
Fat weight
Fat weight (0.50) • Suggests that selection against fat weight would respond well to selection
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Detailed carcass traits & mean heritability estimates
Bone weight
Bone weight (0.50)
Topic 12 – Estimation of breeding value in beef cattle production
Detailed carcass traits & mean heritability estimates
Actual retail product percentage
Actual retail product percentage (0.50-0.60)
Topic 13 – Origin and domestication of small ruminants (sheep and goat),
their species characteristics
Domestication
Sheep domestication is believed to have occurred 9-11,000 years ago
Ovis aries: Entirely domesticated animal,
Topic 13 – Origin and domestication of small ruminants (sheep and goat),
their species characteristics
Microevolutionary consequences, Alterations due to domestication
SHORT
Alterations due to domestication
1• Phenotype
2• Coat & wool
3• Wool colour
4• Tail length
5• Horns
6• Ears
7• Reproduction, prolificacy
8• Milk production
9• Muscle hypertrophy
10• Teeth
11• Sensory organs
Topic 13 – Origin and domestication of small ruminants (sheep and goat),
their species characteristics
Microevolutionary consequences, Alterations due to domestication
1• Phenotype
o Range of heights & weights according to breed
o Typical weight
▪ Ewes 45-100kg
▪ Rams 45-160kg
Topic 13 – Origin and domestication of small ruminants (sheep and goat),
their species characteristics
Microevolutionary consequences, Alterations due to domestication
- Coat & wool
- Wool colour
- Tail length
- Horns
- Ears
1• Coat & wool
2• Wool colour
o Initial breeding programs involved the selection for WHITE fleeces
which could be more easily DYED
3• Tail length
o Long, short & fat-tailed breeds
4• Horns
o May be POLLED, have horns in one sex or both sexes
o Also variability in size & shape of horns@ (if present)
5• Ears
o Long, lop, drooping etc
Topic 13 – Origin and domestication of small ruminants (sheep and goat),
their species characteristics
Microevolutionary consequences, Alterations due to domestication
- Reproduction, prolificacy
- Milk production
- Muscle hypertrophy
- Teeth
- Sensory organs
• Reproduction, prolificacy
o Mono ! polyoestrus
o Increased testicular size
o Seasonal polyoestrus
• Milk production
o Udder size & form
(significant changes in goat)
• Muscle hypertrophy
o In sheep ! CALLIPYGE!
- Teeth
- Sensory organs
Topic 13 – Origin and domestication of small ruminants (sheep and goat),
their species characteristics
Microevolutionary consequences, Alterations due to domestication
Differences between sheep & goats
1• Preferred environment
Io Sheep: = Temperate & lowland areas = Steppes = Savannah = Varied soils = Medium rainfall
IIo Goats: Tropics
Highland & forest areas
Sandy, well-drained soils
2• Nutrition
Io Sheep: Grazers
IIo Goats: Browsers
3• Body characteritics
Io Sheep:
- More uniform horns
- No split in upper lips
- Wooly
- Tails hang downwards
IIo Goats: Mobile, split upper lip Hairy Tails point upwards Highly intelligent Beards common
4• Horns
Io Sheep breeds are often naturally polled, but polled goats are rare
5• Intelligence & behaviour
Io Sheep ! FLOCK instinct
IIo Goats ! No flocking instinct, docile, intelligent
6• Reproduction
o Twinning common in both
7• Fiber
o Sheep are bred for WOOL !
fiber quality of fleece is important
8.• Milk production
o Goat milk is more commonly produced
Topic 14 – Breeding goals and traits of sheep and goat production, types,
usage and products
SHORT
Use of sheep
Carcass traits
Fine wool & fur traits
Milk Production traits
Topic 14 – Breeding goals and traits of sheep and goat production, types,
usage and products
Use of sheep
1• Wool
2• Meat o Mutton o Lamb ▪ New crop lamb (15kg) ▪ Light lamb (25kg) ▪ Heavy lamb (40kg)
3• Sheepskin
o Clothes, footwear, rugs etc
4• Byproducts
o Tallow ! candle & soap making
o Gelatine
Topic 14 – Breeding goals and traits of sheep and goat production, types,
usage and products
Carcass traits
1• Carcass weight
2• Carcass quality
(colour, tenderness, flavour, palatability)
3• Back fat thickness
4• Fat around kidneys
5• Tallow (fat)
6• Valuable ratio (primal cuts) o Shoulder o Rack o Loin o Legs
Topic 14 – Breeding goals and traits of sheep and goat production, types,
usage and products
Fine wool & fur traits
- Grease (fleece weight)
- Wool (clean fleece weight)
- Wool thickness
- S/P ration (secondary:primary follicle ratio)
- Fineness ! Length & diameter of fiber
- Medullation of fiber
- Crimps
- Staple (combing fiber)
- Curl type
• Cashmere & Angora goats
o Mohair, pashmina
Topic 14 – Breeding goals and traits of sheep and goat production, types,
usage and products
Milk Production traits
• Milk yield
• Lactation performance
o Sheep 80-300 (600) l
o Goat 60-1200 l
o Length of lactation 150-200 days
- Daily milk yield
- Milk fat %
- Milk protein %
- Ease of milking
- Udder size & form
Topic 15 – Wool producing sheep and goat breeds, structure and
characteristics of wool
SHEEP
MERINO BREED GROUP (primarily wool)
– Fine wool type
- > Origin: North African Barbary tribes
- Fine wool quality developed in Spain
-> Fine wool mutation –> Dominant 2° hair follicles & wool fibres, 21-26μm diameter
(super fine = 14-18μm diameter)
- 16 century Europe –> Development of dual purpose wool & mutton breeds e.g. French Rambouillet type
Cloth wool –> Merino sheep
Combed fine wool merino breeds –> ~20% of total population, mainly Rambouillet types/local breeds
Mutton Merino (meat & wool dual purpose)
—>Leicester rosses, Merino Precoce,
German meat merino (Fleischschaf), Merino landrace, South-African meat merino
Prolific Merino –> Booroola (AUS), Cormo, Dormer
Fur & hair seep breeds do not grow wool. Similar to early domesticated sheep (before
domestication of wooly breeds).
Raised for meat & pelts. (e.g. Karakul). Also cheaper to keep for meat producers
(do not require shearing)
Topic 15 – Wool producing sheep and goat breeds, structure and
characteristics of wool
GOAT
Mohair/pashmina ! ANGORA, American CASHMERE, Mohair
Central Asian Pashmina (Cashmere) goats
–> China, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, Nepal,
Mongolian, Tibetan goats
Pelt & carpet (Persian rug breeds). For use in carpets, main quality of fibers is durability
(rather than fineness/softness in Cashmere etc)
Topic 16 – Meat & mutton sheep & goat breeds
1- MUTTON breeds – Primarily for meat production. Medium/poor wool quality.
- English LONG-wool mutton breeds
• White faced, long & varied wool quality, big-bodied, polled, late maturite o Leicester (bluefaced), Lincoln, Romney, Cotswold, Cheviot, Wensleydale
o Rams used for terminal crossings & for improvement of other breeds
(e.g. Leicester + Lincoln + Merino)
- English SHORT-wool mutton breeds
• Short legged, downy, medium qual wool, hornless, dark face & legs, breed out of
season, prolific
o South down, Suffolk, Wiltshire, Hampshire down, Oxford Down, Shropshire Down,
- OTHER MUTTON breeds
• German (GER) Black faced mutton sheep &
white faced landsheep
• French (FR): Ile de France
(Leicester + Rambouillet), Berrichon du Cher,
Charollais, Bleu du Maine
• Holland(NE): Texel (4-shank)
Many cross bred
Meat-producing goat breeds
• Boer goat, Anglo-Nubian goat
Topic 17 – Milk type & prolific sheep & goat breeds
Milk sheep
Milk sheep
Traits:
- Prolific,
- early puberty,
- 60-70% twinning rate,
- 50-500kg/lactation
(150-200days), protein = 5-6%, fat = 6-7%
HIGH potential (200-500kg) • Friesland, - British Milksheep (East Friesian/Texel), - Awassi (Israel), - Chios (Greece), - Lacaune (France), - Sarda (Italy)
AVERAGE/good potential (90-200kg) • Beglika, - Bergamasca (Italy) - Churra (Spain), - Comisana (Italy), - Kymi/Skopelos (Greece), - Lacha (Spain)
LOW potential (50-90kg) • Awassi, - Barbary, - Kivircik, - Manchega - Romanov, Finnish & Swedish Landrace
Topic 17 – Milk type & prolific sheep & goat breeds
Milk goat breeds
Milk goat breeds
- Saanen: Swiss. Medium-large, white/light cream in colour
- Alpine: Medim-large, hardy, adaptable, thrives in many climates
- Nubian: High quality, high butterfat milk. Short, fine, glossy coat of any colour. Lop eared.
• Toggenburg: Medium sized, short-long cot, solid colour varying from light fawn to dark chocoloate colour. Distinct markings are
common.
- La Mancha
- Nigerian dwarf
Topic 18 – Reproduction features, reproduction, prolificacy and fertility
traits, most important genetic diseases of sheep and goat
SHORT
- Reproduction Traits
- Oestrus
- Gestation and lactation
- Specific reproductive traits of doe
(nanny goat) - Most common reproductive disorders
- Important genetic disorders
Topic 18 – Reproduction features, reproduction, prolificacy and fertility
traits, most important genetic diseases of sheep and goat
- Reproduction Traits
Reproduction Traits
- Puberty: 6-8 months
- Sexual activity: Breed dependent
- Seasonally polyoestrus
- Breeding season:
August-November
Jan-Feb (short period) - Highest fertility Sept, Oct, Nov
- Biostimulation: Role of sexual pheramones is important
- Flushing –> Body condition plays important part in fertility
Topic 18 – Reproduction features, reproduction, prolificacy and fertility
traits, most important genetic diseases of sheep and goat
- Oestrus
- Length:
Ewe – 17-18 days,
Biphasic (follicular & luteal phase) - Nanny goat – 19-23 days
- Ovulation: Spontaneous
- ## 1-4 eggs per ovulationMating/AI: Prior to ovulation
AI –> Laproscopic (low success rates)
- Twinning & multiple births are common –> Desirable trait, fecundity genes
(FecB, FecX)
Topic 18 – Reproduction features, reproduction, prolificacy and fertility
traits, most important genetic diseases of sheep and goat
- Gestation and lactation
- Gestation
- Pregnancy: 145-150 (147) days
- Fertilization occurs in FALLOPIAN TUBE & migrates to uterus on day 3-4
- Implantation: Centric, early (15-14 days)
- Pregnancy detection: Easy
- Abdominal palpation from day 90
- Ultrasonography
- Lactation:
100-180 in sheep, 100-300 in goats
Topic 18 – Reproduction features, reproduction, prolificacy and fertility
traits, most important genetic diseases of sheep and goat
- Specific reproductive traits of doe
(nanny goat)
Specific reproductive traits of doe
(nanny goat)
- Pronounced seasonality
- Prolactin plays a distinct role ! Luteotropic effect (maintenance of pregnancy & lactation etc)
• Pseudopregnancy
o Persistent CL, uterine secretion, lactation
• Lactation anoestrus is typical
o Autumnal weaning of kids has a synchronizing effect with heat occurring within a week
• Environmental factors
o Pheramones
o Photoperiod
Topic 18 – Reproduction features, reproduction, prolificacy and fertility
traits, most important genetic diseases of sheep and goat
5.Most common reproductive disorders
Most common reproductive disorders
1• Persistent CL
2• Heat & cycle disorders
o Anovulatory cycle
o Inactive ovaries
o Prolonged cycles
3• Perinatal mortality of lambs
Topic 18 – Reproduction features, reproduction, prolificacy and fertility
traits, most important genetic diseases of sheep and goat
- Important genetic disorders
CIRCULATION, haemostasis
• Hyperbilirubinaemia
• Glutathione-deficiency anaemia
• Haemophilia A
METABOLIC (lysosomal storage diseases) • Ceroide lipofuschinosis • Gangliosidosis I • Gaucher disease • Krabbe disease • Mucopolysaccharidosis • Glucogenosis II & V • Mannosidose α & β in goats
FAT METABOLISM • Yellow fat (recessive) Muscles • Musculary hypertrophy (callipyge) • Muscular dystrophy • Myotonia congenital (fainting goats)
BONES
• Chondrodysplasia, achondroplasia
• Spider lamb syndrome, SLS
(blackfaced down, Suffolk, Oxford breds)
INTERSEXES
• XX males
SKIN AND HAIR
• Albinism
• Dermatosparaxis (skin ashthenia)
• Eptheliogenesis imperfecta
Topic 19 – Breeding (pure and cross breeding) methods and practical mating
systems in sheep and goat production
Basic mating systems
Basic mating systems • Flock/mass mating • Harem mating • Stud mating/hand mating • AI
Sex ratio (natural mating) is typically 1:50
Topic 19 – Breeding (pure and cross breeding) methods and practical mating
systems in sheep and goat production
Breeding value estimate
Breeding value estimate based on
• Own/individual production
• Progeny testing
• Conformation
Less attention placed on pedigree
Topic 19 – Breeding (pure and cross breeding) methods and practical mating
systems in sheep and goat production
Selection criteria in sheep breeding
• Depends on breeding objective
1o Lamb & mutton ▪ Weight gain performance ▪ Muscling ▪ Fat deposition ▪ Prolificacy
2o Wool quality
3o Milk production
4o Fur production (Karakul)
Topic 19 – Breeding (pure and cross breeding) methods and practical mating
systems in sheep and goat production
Selection criteria in dairy & meat goats
• Milk production
o Fertility, udder form & shape
• Meat production
o Daily weight gain of kids, muscling, prolificacy
• Wool production
o Quality of fibres in Angora, Cashmere & Mohair goats
Topic 19 – Breeding (pure and cross breeding) methods and practical mating
systems in sheep and goat production
Pure and Cross breeding methods
- Purebreeding
• Inbreeding
• Line breeding
- Improvement of breed
- Preservation of pure breeds
- Cross breeding
- Heterosis effect
2. Recombination Common crossbreeding methods • Grading up • Breed improvement (introgression) • New breed formation --> Synthetic breeds, crossbreds
- Terminal crossing & breed hybridization
• Combination of breeds to optimize heterosis (meat production)
o Two-breed
o Three-breed
o Four-breed - Rotational crossing
Topic 20 – Sheep & Goat breeding technologies, production & management systems
(extensive & intensive)
Reproductive management systems
• EXTENSIVE:
- Lambing once per year in spring,
- mating in Autumn, large
- non-productive interval
• SEMI-intensive:
- Lambing 3x in 2yrs.
- Shortening inactive & transitional period.
- Flushing.
- Oestrous induction & sycnhronisation.
- Biostimulation.
- Heat & PD detection etc.
• INTENSIVE:
- Continuous oestrous activity & lambing.
- Breeding out of season.
- Regulated reproduction,
- intensive care,
- oestrous & pd detection,
- intensive feeding,
- high quality management.
