Learn about Animal Breeding
- Farm Animals, Pets, Wildlife
- Up skill for better business or employment opportunities
- Study when and where it suits your busy schedule
Animal breeding can be anything from a serious hobby or part time business (eg. breeding and selling pets), through to a very serious and possibly highly sophisticated profession.
This course provides an excellent starting point whatever level you plan to operate at.
Lesson Structure
There are 7 lessons in this course:
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Introduction to Genetics
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Plant cells
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Animal cells
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Cell division - mitosis (asexual reproduction); meiosis (sexual reproduction)
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Genes - phenotype and genotype; homogenous and heterogenous
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Terminology
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The work of Mendel
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Sex determination
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Genetics
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Gene mutations
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Lethal genes
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Effect of the environment
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Hybrid vigour
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Genetics in agriculture
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Heritability
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Selection
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Animal breeding programs
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Agriculture
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Decide on your priorities
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Dual purpose animals
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Artificial selection
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Gene groups
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Regression
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Domestic animals - Dogs, cats etc.
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Pure Breeding
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Inbreeding - close breeding and line breeding
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Genetic effects of inbreeding
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Advantages and disadvantages
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Introduction to Cross Breeding
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The effects of cross breeding in farm animals
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Genetic effects, phenotype effects, heterosis, and genotype effect
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Cross breeding in sheep
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Cross breeding in domestic animals
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Cross Breeding
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Practical cross breeding
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Two breed or single cross
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Back cross or crisscrossing
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Cyclical crossing
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Rotational crossing
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Advantages of cross breeding
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Reciprocal recurrent selection
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Breed societies
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Grading up
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Livestock Improvement
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Performance Testing
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Sib Testing
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Progeny testing
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Relative breeding Values (RBV)
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Artificial insemination
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Synchronised heats
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Ova transplants
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
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Explain genetic influence on the characteristics exhibited by animals.
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Explain the factors that interact with genes to produce nonconformity in animals.
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Develop procedures to select animals for a breeding program.
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Develop an animal straight breeding program.
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Develop an animal cross breeding program.
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Explain the commercial methods used to breed farm animals.
What You Will Do
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Explain how genes control the inheritance of characteristics, using two specific examples of animal breeding.
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Distinguish between the phenotype and the genotype, of a specified farm animal.
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Distinguish between dominant and recessive gene pairs.
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Explain the differences in the function of chromosomes, of a specified fowl, when compared with a specified mammalian farm animal.
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Describe the linkage of gender with the expression of non-sex character traits, in a specified farm animal.
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Explain the role of mutation in animal breeding, including both positive and negative aspects.
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Explain the role of the environment in all factors which determine genetic expression in animals.
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Explain the relevance of hybrid vigour to breeding different animals, including; *chickens *pigs *sheep
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Explain heritability in different classes of livestock, including: * dairy cattle *beef cattle *pigs *sheep.
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Develop a set of aims for a breeding program, for a chosen farm animal.
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Develop a checklist of criteria for selecting animals in a breeding program for a specified type of farm animal.
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Explain natural selection, by giving an example of its application in a farm animal breeding program.
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Explain artificial selection in animal breeding programs, including: * it's aims *the methods used.
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Explain genetic regression by giving an example of its possible occurrence in a farm breeding program.
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Design a checklist of factors to consider when purchasing breeding stock for a specified farm situation.
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Explain how an animal breeder in the learner's locality selects animals from which to breed, for a commercial breeding program.
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Distinguish between different types of straight breeding, including: *close breeding *line breeding.
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Explain how a specified pure breed (ie. straight breed) is maintained.
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Compare the advantages and disadvantages of line breeding in a breeding program for a specified type of farm animal.
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Explain where it would be appropriate to use line breeding methods in animal breeding programs.
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Explain where it would be appropriate to use close breeding methods in animal breeding programs.
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Write a procedure for straight breeding of a specified type of animal.
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Differentiate between different types of cross breeding, including: *terminal cross *two breed cross *back cross *three breed cross *rotational cross.
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Explain the concept of 'grading up', as it relates to commercial animal husbandry.
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Evaluate 'crossbreeding' in an animal breeding program investigated by the learner, to determine its relevance to the situation.
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Determine a commercial situation, in which crossbreeding may be justified.
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Explain the services provided by a specified Breed Society in cross breeding, on a specified farm.
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Write a procedure for cross breeding of a specified type of animal.
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Define breeding terminology including: *artificial insemination *synchronised heats *ova transplants.
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Describe the breeding programs which use artificial insemination, synchronised heats and ova transplants.
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Explain the importance of synchronised heats to breeding animals.
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Describe two different testing methods, observed by the learner that are used for animal breeding programs.
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Evaluate the relevance of breeding methods, that are used on a specified property, to the stated aims of the property owner.
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Describe the husbandry procedures which may be carried out during the pregnancy of a specified farm animal.
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Describe husbandry practices which may be carried out during the birth of a specified type of farm animal, including: *routine husbandry procedures *emergency husbandry procedures.
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Plan the management of a breeding program to maximise male breeding performance for either: *dairy *pigs *poultry *beef *sheep *horses
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Perform and record the birth of a specified animal.
AFTER YOUR COURSE
Animal breeders may work with pets, farm animals or wildlife. They may breed purebred dogs, cats, horses or other animals, to sell or show. They may breed farm animals or animals in a zoo or wildlife park.
Some animal breeders work operate their own business (eg. supplying pets to the pet industry, livestock to farms, or horses to the racing industry). Others may work for zoos, wildlife parks, agricultural research stations or other public or non profit organisations. Breeding may have a commercial purpose or a conservation role.
Some breeders may come to their job through experience rather than formal training; while others may start out with a substantial short courses, certificate or higher qualification
Skills Needed
- A real interest and empathy for animals
- Knowledge of animal biology, health care and at least basic genetics
- A calmness, self confidence, and appropriate physical fitness and strength, to deal with the species being bred
- Being willing to network with colleagues, share what you learn and learn what is shared; in order to stay up to date
Potential Opportunities
Remuneration can vary greatly. If you own your own business as a breeder, you may have greater control and more potential to earn, particularly if you are good at what you do.
If you work for someone else, your salary is probably going to be a reflection of both the type of animal you are working with and the industry sector you are working in.
What People think of the course
"The course is particularly useful to students who are or wish to be involved in agricultural livestock production." Marius Erasmus - B.Sc.Agriculture, B.Science (Wildlife), M.Sc.Agriculture
ACS Student comment: Yes [the course is a valuable learning experience], I am loving it, it relates to all the things I am presently doing with our dogs and sheep and I am finding it extremely useful and have learnt a lot. Love getting my assignments back to see how I went always an exciting moment and then shared around the dinner table that night!! Zoe Crouch, Aust - Animal Breeding course.
What Should You Study?
Let us help you make the Best Decision for You!
- It is better to communicate with someone before they enrol.
- If we understand your passions, capabilities and ambitions - we can help!
- Plan to achieve your goals.
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