APPLIED GENETICS 2

1. Performance & Progeny Testing • Performance testing involves keeping a record of an individual animal’s performance in terms of growth rate, food conversion (FCR), yields etc and comparing them with similar animals in similar conditions. • Progeny testing compares records of an animal’s offspring with the offspring of other animals kept in similar conditions in terms of growth rate, food conversion (FCR), yields etc. • Both factors are important for stock selection and selection for AI. • Both are practiced mainly on bulls. • X • = • Inbreeding vs. Cross Breeding • Inbreeding involves mating animals of the same breed (related animals). • There are advantages and disadvantages to the practice and the rate of in-breeding is increasing nationally. • Breeding closely related animals is not necessarily good farm practice and can cause genetic mutations, BUT is practiced to improve genetic traits of purebred animals (Line Breeding). • Cross breeding involves breeding two pure breed animals (of different breeds), producing offspring of superior quality to the parents. • Cross breeding results in HYBRID VIGOUR, when the offspring out performed the parents. • Cross breeding is good farm practice. APPLIED GENETICS 2