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AGLS 3003 - Ruminant Production Systems
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  Lecture Slides 4.1.3 - Goat Production - Breeding Stock
Lecture Slides
    2. 1.1 What are Ruminants
      1. 2.1.1 Sheep
      2. 2.1.2 Goat
      3. 2.1.3 Cattle
      1. 2.2.1 Definition of Ruminants
      2. 2.2.2 Ruminant Stomach
      3. 2.2.3 Digestive Track
      4. 2.2.4 Nutrition
      1. 2.3.1 Reproductive System
      2. 2.3.2 Males
      3. 2.3.3 Females
      4. 2.3.4 Pregnancy
      1. 2.4.1 Mammary Glands
      2. 2.4.2 Growth/Regulation
      3. 2.4.3 Milk Composition
      4. 2.4.4 Regression
      5. 2.4.5 Milk Let-down
      1. 2.5.1 Genetics
      2. 2.5.2 Adaptation
        1. 2.5.3.1 Homeotherms
        2. 2.5.3.2 Heat Dissipation
      4. 2.5.4 Climate
    2. 3.1 Sheep Production
      1. 4.1.1 Goats in the New World
      2. 4.1.2 Caribbean Breeds
      3. 4.1.3 Breeding Stock
      4. 4.1.4 Do's and Dont's!
        1. 4.2.1.1 Requirements
        2. 4.2.1.2 Pysiological States
        3. 4.2.1.3 Energy Sources
        1. 4.2.2.1 Does
        2. 4.2.2.2 Weaners
        3. 4.2.2.3 Bucks
        4. 4.2.2.4 Formulation
      1. 4.3.1 Ex-/In-tensive Systems
      2. 4.3.2 Housing & Equipment
      3. 4.3.3 Milking Platform
      4. 4.3.4 Care
      5. 4.3.5 Kid rearing
      6. 4.3.6 Meat production
      7. 4.3.7 Record keeping
      1. 4.4.1 Common Diseases
      2. 4.4.2 Parasites
      3. 4.4.3 Performance Coefficients
    2. 5.1 Dairy Production
    2. 6.1 Beef Production
    2. 7.1 Buffalo Production
    2. 8.1 Forage Production
    1. 9.1 Acknowledgements
    2. 9.2 References
In this section, we cover:

4.1.3 Selection of breeding stock  - the use of phenotypic traints to help increase productivity according to the farmer's goals.
  

4.1.3 Selection of Breeding Stock

In selecting breeding stock the first step should be to determine the aims of the breeding programme and from these aims the most important traits would then identified.

Next, data should be collected on individual animals and their close relatives in respect to these traits so as to determine the breeding value of these animals. They can then be ranked, and those with the highest breeding value selected as breeding stock. With respect to those traits of economic importance such as milk yield, body size and butterfat percentage there is usually some correlation.

Term - Breeding Value: Genetic worth of an animal in respect of a particular trait or combination of traits.

Selecting for one trait may therefore affect another, either positively or negatively. For example, within breeds there is a positive correlation between milk yield and body size, therefore selecting for increased milk production will lead to an increase in body size.

Term - Selection: Choice of come animals in a population in preference to others. Usually the choice of animals as parents of the next generation.

With respect to sexes, a higher selection intensity for males is possible since fewer males than females are required in a breeding programme. This higher selection intensity allows for more progress in genetic improvement over a shorter period. Therefore, it is very important to select only the best bucks to be used as herd sires.

Terms -
Phenotype: Visible or measurable traits which could be correlated to genotype.
Genotype: The entire array of genes carried by an individual.

Phenotypic characters tend to be highly correlated with production and phenotypic selection takes into account the following:

Age - is determined by an examination of the teeth which are changed in pairs annually for the first four years after birth.

Legs - should be strong, wide set and straight with the animal showing no signs of limping.

Skin - should be smooth and pliable with no lumps or abscesses.

Size - animal should have a large solid body with good barrel.

Udder - should have only two teats (both males and females).

Conformation to breed type - the animal should be a good representative of its breed.


Picture of Boer and Anglo-Nubian goat breeds.

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Prof. Gary W. Garcia, The University of the West Indies, Trinidad. Version 3. Updated: 27-Oct-2014