HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lasley, E. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Lasley, E. L.

Animal Breeding—Now and in the Future¹

Farmers Hybrid Companies, Inc.², Des Moines, Iowa 50306

Abstract

Introduction

Knowledge of the genetic and statistical principles needed to achieve effective animal breeding has been essentially complete for two or more decades. Application of these principles to animal improvement is now mainly concerned with their translation into methods for use in the various livestock situations. The success to be achieved depends on knowledge of the biology, husbandry practices and product objectives for each class of livestock and the economic circumstances.

Animal breeding practices vary from species to species primarily because of differences in reproductive rates. Whereas an inbred-hybrid system may be a reasonable commercial alternative for poultry, it is biologically and economically more difficult to achieve with swine and virtually impossible for cattle. The lower the reproductive rate of the female, the more practical is a system of rotational crossbreeding. Terminal crossing systems are not commonly used by the domestic swine industry and may never be important because of increased health risk and costs associated with the replacement of females from sources outside the commercial herd.

¹ Presented at Symposium on Animal Breeding Research Foundations for Tomorrow at 67th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, July 29, 1975.

² P.O. Box 4528.