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WageningenX: Evaluating Animal Breeding Programmes

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Learn how to evaluate an ongoing breeding programme in terms of both genetic progress and genetic diversity, and how to translate that genetic progress from the breeding programme to the farmer’s work.

Evaluating Animal Breeding Programmes
6 weeks
4–6 hours per week
Self-paced
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Free
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Evaluating Animal Breeding Programmes

About this course

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Animal breeding, and especially breeding of farm animals and aquaculture species, has developed into a professional industry with modern technologies, large-scale data collection, and analyses. This has resulted in very efficient and effective breeding programs. However, in many developing countries, and for many lesser known livestock and fish species there is a need for tailor-made breeding programs. In this MOOC, you will learn about the implementation and evaluation of both large industrial scale and the tailor-made breeding programs, in terms of genetic progress and genetic diversity.

Together with other learners, you will dive into the reasons behind crossbreeding in relation to dissemination of genetic improvement. It is essential to know how key biological factors affect the structure of a breeding program and to understand the different structures a breeding program can have.

Join this course and learn everything about how to properly evaluate breeding programs. In several knowledge clips and assignments, you will learn how to assess the effects of legislation, competition, GxE, new technology on breeding programs.

Eliminating diseases
Two special sections are devoted to genetic diversity and, more specifically, to (i) monogenic recessive disorders, and (ii) genetic diversity at the population level. Monogenic recessive disorders play an important role in breeding programs for companion animals such as dogs and horses. Modern DNA sequencing technology now makes it possible not only to detect these mutations but also to design breeding strategies aimed at eliminating these diseases. Genetic diversity at population level is important to maintain flexibility in populations and to keep animal populations healthy. In this course, you will learn more about how to monitor and conserve genetic diversity in breeding programmes.

After finishing this course you can make informed decisions when setting up a breeding program for a specific animal in a specific production system and recognize and identify key elements of the course in real-life examples of breeding programs.

Prerequisites
Please know that knowledge of statistics at a 2nd or 3rd year university level is needed to follow this course successfully. This course partially builds on knowledge gained in the MOOC Genetic Models for Animal Breeding.

For Whom
Although this course is open to everyone, it is particular useful for breeders of:

  • Cows
  • Poultry/Chicken
  • Horses
  • Pigs/Swine
  • Dogs
  • Sheep
  • Goat
  • Fish
  • Shrimp

Professional Certificate Program

This course is part of the Professional Certificate Programme "Animal Breeding and Genetics". Join the other course in the programme, Genetic Models for Animal Breeding, and advance your career as a breeder.

The course is developed with financial support and input from the Koepon Foundation.

At a glance

  • Institution: WageningenX
  • Subject: Biology & Life Sciences
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Prerequisites:

    Knowledge of statistics at a 2nd or 3rd year university level is needed to follow this course successfully.

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated programs:
  • Associated skills:DNA Sequencing, Biology, Animal Reproduction, Production Systems, Aquaculture, Legislation, Stock Farming

What you'll learn

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  • Introduction to evaluating breeding programmes
  • Crossbreeding and dissemination of genetic improvement
  • Evaluation of breeding programmes
  • Genetic diversity in monogenic recessive diseases
  • Genetic diversity at a population level
  • Breeding programmes in practice

Syllabus

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Module 1: Introduction

Introduction to evaluating animal breeding programmes, along the seven steps that are needed to set up a breeding programme.

Module 2: Crossbreeding and Dissemination

Learning about heterosis and crossbreeding, including crossbreeding schemes in practice. Learning about the most important breeding programme structures and schemes, and about which key factors influence this structure.

Module 3: Evaluation of Breeding Programmes

How do we assess genetic improvement in breeding programmes? Let’s investigate limits to selection, genotype by environment interaction and its consequences for breeding programmes. Learn how multi-trait selection can reduce unwanted correlated responses.

Module 4: Genetic Diversity I - Monogenic Recessive Disorders

This module is all about the nature of monogenic recessive disorders, their mode of inheritance and about strategies to eliminate these defects. Learn about the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and about genetic drift in relation to genetic diversity.

Module 5: Genetic Diversity II - Population Level

Let’s study the forces that affect genetic diversity on a population level, and factors that influence the rate of inbreeding. We will predict the rate of inbreeding in simple situations, and learn how to monitor genetic diversity. Finally, we will discuss in vivo and in vitro strategies to conserve genetic diversity.

Module 6: Breeding Programmes in Practice

Introduction to evaluating animal breeding programmes in practice, through a number of real life situations. How do the different topics covered in the course affect choices made when designing and evaluating a breeding programme?

Learner testimonials

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''Congratulations for the spirit of contributing with clear training that allows understanding animal genetic improvement from a production perspective, considering the conservation of diversity and animal welfare.''

''A big thank you to staff for running this MOOC - makes upskilling accessible to working professionals worldwide''

Frequently Asked Questions

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Do you have questions about the MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and/or related online programmes of Wageningen University & Research? To help you find answers to your questions, we created a list with frequently asked questions about enrolling, participating in- and finishing a MOOC.

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

This course is part of Animal Breeding and Genetics Professional Certificate Program

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Expert instruction
2 skill-building courses
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
3 months
4 - 6 hours per week

Ways to take this course

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Certificate

Free

Price

$189 USD

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Limited

Expires on Jan 3, 2025

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Graded assignments and exams

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