Agricultural Science (AS)·Animal science · NSSCAS 4.4
Animal breeding: AI, MOET & genetic improvement
Narrated lesson · press play
Two young bulls stand in the same Namibian kraal, born the same week and fed the same grass. Years later, one sires calves that Meatco grades top quality and the other sires calves that barely make the grade. The difference was written in their genes from birth. How does a farmer choose and even reshape those genes on purpose, to breed better cattle for the market?
What you'll learn in this lesson
By the end you should be able to (NSSCAS Agricultural Science (AS) 4.4):
- Explain the term locus as the fixed position of a gene on a chromosome
- Explain the term heritability as the proportion of the variation in a trait that is due to genes and passed to offspring, and distinguish high- and low-heritability traits
- Describe how artificial insemination (AI) is carried out in cattle, and discuss its advantages and disadvantages
- Describe how Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET) is carried out in cattle, and discuss its advantages and disadvantages
- Explain how breeding plans (selection, crossbreeding, performance testing and EBVs) are used to breed progeny suited to industry and market requirements
- Explain how genetic engineering can be used to breed farm animals suited to industry and market requirements
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modifying farm animals
Loading your lesson…
You're watching a free 3-minute preview — create a free account to keep going.
Quick revision
Revise this in 5 minutes
Miss Elina and Mike talk through the whole topic — with the figure and working drawn live.