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Questions and Answers
What is one of the basic principles of breeding concerning the number of traits in a breeding program?
Which type of traits can be classified as being objectively measured?
What is typically a source of controversy between breeders and geneticists?
Which of the following is NOT considered an objective trait?
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What motivated most efforts in animal domestication in modern times?
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Which statement best describes the relationship between the complexity of breeding objectives and success?
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What is a characteristic of subjective traits?
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In livestock management and breeding, what should be a priority for successful outcomes?
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What may happen to young animals if they cannot latch onto large teats?
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What factor is crucial for the udder during peak lactation?
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What is the purpose of the conditioned reflex in dairy animals?
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What does over-milking refer to in the context of milking machines?
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Breeders are concerned with the quality of milk produced. What specific traits do they examine?
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Which of the following describes 'growth' in the context of dairy animals?
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Why is the physical form of the udder and teats becoming increasingly important?
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What could result from a poorly attached udder in dairy animals?
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What is a common misconception about diagnosing the cause of death in calves?
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Why do breeders focus more on survival rather than mortality?
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What complicates the determination of true parentage in calves born under range conditions?
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Which of the following is an indirect measure of maternal ability?
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What is a challenge in defining the concept of maternal ability?
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How does animal behavior affect genetics in the case of calving?
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What factor is closely associated with good maternal ability in livestock?
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What is the primary investment loss when a calf dies at birth?
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What is a key advantage of having a quiet temperament in draught animals?
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How does social hierarchy impact the health of lower-order animals in a group?
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What is recognized as optimal for reducing stress factors in livestock?
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What critical trait is most important for poultry breeders to ensure profitability?
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What characteristic is breeders of meat birds most concerned with?
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What specific body characteristics are desirable in meat birds for supermarket presentation?
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What practice should breeders engage in to reduce deaths in meat birds?
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What has changed about the concept of 'breed' in commercial poultry over time?
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What distinguishes development from growth in animals?
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At which stage is the point of inflexion on the growth curve typically located?
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Why is it important to weigh animals under standardized conditions?
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Which tissue receives the highest priority for nutrients during the development of animals?
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What aspect of farming is breeders concerned with, in terms of growth?
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What is a crucial method breeders may use to select for carcass traits?
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Which of the following traits is most easily measured at slaughter?
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Why might the actual weight of an animal not accurately reflect its tissue composition?
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Study Notes
Domestication
- The dog is the only animal domesticated during the paleolithic era
- Most animals that we farm today were domesticated during the neolithic era
- Most recent attempts have been unsuccessful, the exception being the Eland
Selective Breeding
- Farmers can improve their animals by improving their feeding, housing, and by eliminating diseases
- Breeders often try to improve too many character traits, which slows progress
- Breeders and geneticists often disagree on the selection criteria for their programs
Trait Classification
- Traits are classified as either simple traits (like coat color) or complex traits (like growth and survival)
- Traits can be classified as either objective (can be measured) or subjective (can be assessed according to someone's opinion)
- Objective traits are measured in terms of weight, length, volume, etc.
Survival
- Survival is more important than mortality
- It is important to determine the cause of death, but this is often difficult
- It is important to understand why living offspring live
- The ability to determine parentage is important
- There are many ways to establish parentage: direct observation, records, birth fluids, and blood typing
- Animal behaviour can greatly affect the outcome of a breeding program
Maternal Ability
- Good maternal ability is essential in farm animals
- It is a complex trait that is difficult to describe objectively
- The ability to feed, shelter, and protect the offspring are all important
- Breeders use indirect measures of maternal ability such as the offspring's weight at weaning
- The shape of the udder is important, especially in dairy animals
- Poorly attached udders can cause stress and disease
- Udders and teats must be suited to machine milking
Growth & Development
- Growth is best looked at as an increase in size or weight
- Development is the change in proportion of the different parts of an animal
- Growth is usually shown as an S-shaped curve
- Different tissue types have different nutritional priorities
- The placenta and the fetus have the highest priority followed by the brain and central nervous system
- Breeders aim to alter the ratios of bone, muscle, and fat
- Different breeds can mature to different sizes
- Different stages of growth are not independent
- The live weight of an animal is a simple trait to measure, but the ratio of muscle, fat, and bone can vary
- The contents of the digestive tract can account for 10-25% of the weight of ruminants
- Animals should be weighed uniformly full or empty after standardised fasting periods
- Fleece weight can be influenced by the amount of water in the wool
Carcass Quality
- The carcass is a stage nearer the consumer than the live animal
- Special breeding plans are needed to select for carcass traits in breeding stock
- Carcass traits are measured by using ultrasonic aid or examining the carcasses of offspring or relatives
- The weight of the cold carcass is easily measured at slaughter
- Carcass composition can be an important trait for survival
Temperament
- Temperament is an important trait in farm animals
- Animals should be calm to avoid stress in herds
- Quiet temperament is important for draught animals that have to spend long periods of time waiting
- Social hierarchy often results in aggressive individuals getting more access to food, water, and resources
- Lower order animals eat less, produce less, and are more prone to disease
- The optimal group size can be determined to reduce stress factors
- Breeders need to breed animals able to cope with high-stress environments
Poultry
- Poultry breeders have taken advantage of advances in genetics
- The very concept of breed is outdated in commercially raised poultry
- The primary concern for poultry producers is feed conversion efficiency
- Broiler breeders prefer birds that grow quickly
- Broilers have to have large breasts, fleshy thighs, short legs, and a desirable skin color
- Breeders are trying to reduce internal fat depots in broilers
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Description
Explore the fascinating history of domestication, selective breeding, and trait classification in animals. This quiz covers key concepts from the domestication of animals in different eras to the complexities of breeding and traits. Test your knowledge on how these factors influence animal survival.