This chapter describes the brief history and continuing progress of selection and breed development for desirable traits in livestock.

This 484-paged book is an extensively updated and expanded edition of the previous book by Simm, which focused on cattle and sheep. It has 14 chapters, the first chapter in the book sets the scene for modern livestock breeding, by looking at the origins and roles of today's livestock breeds. The...

The huge variety of animal and other species that we see today, together with those now extinct, evolved by the process of natural selection. The key to natural selection, and to the artificial selection practised by breeders, is the inherited variation in many characteristics that exists between...

In this chapter, the main strategies for genetic improvement are discussed. Highlights focused on the structure of livestock breeding industries, selection, crossbreeding, and conservation of genetic resosurces.

In this chapter, the factors which affect responses to within-breed selection, and some of the tools and technologies used, especially for more effective within-breed selection are discussed. Highlights focused on the factors affecting rates of genetic gain, and controlling inbreeding.

This chapter discusses approaches to predicting breeding values and presents an outline of the steps that are required to obtain the most appropriate breeding values for any species. This process of predicting breeding values is often termed genetic evaluation.

This chapter discussed the effects of applying the different principles in animal breeding such genetic analysis, predicting breeding values, use of tools and breeding technology, selection response within breeds, and strategies for genetic improvements in dairy cattle.

This chapter highlights the application of genetic principles such as strategies for genetic improvements, selection response within breeds, tools and technologies in animal breeding, genetic analysis, and predicting values in beef cattle.

This chapter highlights the application of genetic principles in sheep and goat breeding such as chromosome analysis, prediction of breeding values, and the use of the latest tools and technology in animal breeding.

In this chapter, the major breeding goals for each of the poultry products (eggs and meat) are discussed. An outline on how the breeding and selection methods have been developed appropriately on chicken meat (broiler) and chicken egg sectors was also presented.