ANSCI LAB

• Animal Breeding is the science that deals with the application of the various animal genetic principles purposely to improve or enhance the performance of livestock and poultry species.
• Selection Index is a method that combines all traits included in the selection program into an index; usually gives best results; each trait is given weight in the selection.
• The basis of selection for breeders can be an animal’s own performance record (individuality), records of ancestors (pedigree), performance of offspring (progeny test), or performance of relatives (collateral relatives).
• Backfat is the average acceptable backfat thickness for a 90 kg gilt, which is 2 cm.
• Independent Culling Level is a method where 2 or more traits at a time are measured; if one trait did not pass the standard it will not be selected.
• Topcrossing is the mating of males and females which are considered top in their performance pedigrees.
• Tandem selection is a method where only one trait at a time is being considered.
• Selection is the process of choosing animals with desirable traits that are to be maintained and reproduced in a herd or flock.
• Upgrading is a mating system where animals are mated to improve the genetics of the herd.
• Systematic crossing is a mating system where the offspring of a crossbreeding are mated back to the parents.
• Inbreeding is a form of non-random mating of closely related animals by ancestry.
• Natural mating is a mating system where animals mate naturally.
• Hybrid vigor is the average superiority of offspring over the parents.
• Rotational Cross is a mating system where two or more breeds are used in regular sequences.
• Breed complementation is the combination of the good characteristics of the breeds.
• Artificial mating systems are mating systems where animals are mated by humans.
• Mating is the art and science of the genetic improvement of animals.
• Backcross is a crossbred mated back to one of the two parents.
• Linebreeding is a form of inbreeding which is done to concentrate the characteristics of a superior ancestor.
• Two Way Cross is a mating system where the parents are of different breeds.
• Three Way Cross is a mating system where the parents are of different breeds and the offspring is of a third breed.
• Sire Line is a mating system where the sire is of one breed and the dam is of another breed.
• Genetics is the science that deals with heredity and variation.
• Crossbreeding or outcrossing refers to mating between animals of different established breeds.
• Dam Line is a mating system where the dam is of one breed and the sire is of another breed.
• Four Way Cross or Double Cross is a mating system where the parents are of different breeds and the offspring is of a third breed.