Domestic animals have undergone major changes in the last century. This is true for farm animals, typically used as a source of food and fiber and for companion animals, kept for amusement and service. How did wolves become dogs? And how can the enourmous phenotypic variation in the dog be explained? Isn't it quite impressive to realize that breeds as different as the tiny Chihuahua and the mighty Great Dane have derived from the same original source? Swine have also made a leap from the wild boar, a very inefficient utilizer of food (requiring an intake as high as 5 pounds in order to gain 1 pound of body weight) to the efficient modern pig breeds that need barely over 2 pounds of feed to gain 1 pound of body weight. How were these changes accomplished?

We will explore in ANSC450 (Animal Breeding Plans) the underlying science behind these changes driven by man. Static and dynamic aspects of genes and genotypes will be covered, with an emphasis on the applications to animal breeding. It will be shown how to incorporate the advances in statistical methods and the contributions from the various fields of biotechnology into efficient animal breeding plans. You will learn specific details of breeding plans for many species, including beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry (broilers and layers), horses, rabbits and dogs. Genetics of disease resistance and strategies for overcoming existing disease problems will be covered. You will learn how to plan matings and how to predict genetic progress as a consequence of your selection decisions. Basic knowledge of statistical methods is essential for this class (BIOM301 or equivalent is a pre-requisite), as well as a thorough understanding of the principles of Mendelian inheritance. This course is lecture-based. In addition, by the end of the semester, each student is expected to produce a thorough breeding plan for a species of her or his choice, giving the opportunity for a hands-on learning experience. At least one guest lecturers from industry or from a research institute will be present during the semester.

ANSC450 is offered in the Spring semester of odd-numbered years. Class meets on MWF from 2:00 to 2:50pm. This course has been approved as an Advanced Elective for all Animal Sciences curricula at University of Maryland.