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  • Reference work
  • © 2023

Animal Breeding and Genetics

  • Discusses foundational concepts in quantitative and molecular genetics
  • Describes current and future uses of gene editing to improve animal populations
  • Elucidates the interaction of genetics with the production environment

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Table of contents (18 entries)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xviii
  2. Animal Breeding and Genetics: Introduction

    • Matthew L. Spangler
    Pages 1-4
  3. Animal Breeding Methods and Sustainability

    • Agustin Blasco
    Pages 5-24
  4. Quantitative Methods Applied to Animal Breeding

    • Guilherme J. M. Rosa
    Pages 25-49
  5. Building Genetic Models

    • L. Dale Van Vleck
    Pages 63-75
  6. Genotype by Environment Interactions in Livestock Farming

    • Francesco Tiezzi, Christian Maltecca
    Pages 77-97
  7. Pig Breeding for Increased Sustainability

    • Pieter W. Knap
    Pages 139-179
  8. Poultry Breeding

    • Samuel E. Aggrey, Romdhane Rekaya
    Pages 181-190
  9. Beef Cattle Breeding

    • Donagh Berry
    Pages 191-221
  10. Novel Trait Selection to Enhance Sustainability of Beef Production Systems

    • Elizabeth Dressler, Jason E. Sawyer, Megan M. Rolf
    Pages 223-241
  11. Dairy Cattle Breeding

    • Jennie E. Pryce
    Pages 243-260
  12. Sustainable Genetic Improvement in Dairy Goats

    • Erin Massender, Luiz F. Brito, Flavio S. Schenkel
    Pages 261-277
  13. Horse Breeding

    • Jessica L. Petersen
    Pages 279-295
  14. Breeding in Developing Countries and Tropics

    • S. W. P. Cloete
    Pages 297-353
  15. Breeding in an Era of Genome Editing

    • Emily Louise Clark
    Pages 369-384
  16. Long-term Challenges for Animal Breeding

    • Robert Banks
    Pages 385-409
  17. Back Matter

    Pages 411-417

About this book

This newly updated and revised volume of the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology (ESST) details the role of Animal Breeding and Genetics in the sustainability of animal agriculture. The volume covers scientific principles and applications includes the current science used to advance cattle, poultry, swine,sheep, and equine populations, as well as the future role of techniques such as gene editing. 

International leaders in the field explain foundational concepts such as heritability, the covariance between relatives, statistical approaches to predicting the genetic merit of individuals, and the development and advancement of molecular techniques to elucidate changes in the DNA sequence that underly phenotypic variation. The use of genetic-based tools to improve animal agriculture and meet consumer demands across species is treated in detail. 

Readers will gain an understanding of how global livestock producers have implemented advanced genetic selection tools and used them to improve reproduction, production, efficiency, health, and sustainability. The interactions of genetics and production environments, and the genetic components of the complex interactions among animals are also discussed. The future of Animal Breeding and Genetics, including the challenges and opportunities that exist in feeding a growing world population, are addressed.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, USA

    Matthew L. Spangler

About the editor

​Dr. Matthew Spangler grew up on a diversified crop and livestock farm in Kansas. He received degrees from Kansas State University (BS; 2001), Iowa State University (MS; 2003), and the University of Georgia (PhD; 2006) and is currently a Professor of Animal Genetics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His research work focuses on quantitative genetics and genomics in livestock.  As part of this effort, he works closely with livestock industries, in particular beef and swine, to implement improved genetic selection tools and methods. He has given over 400 invited presentations to scientific and industry audiences and has authored or co-authored over 140 publications including peer reviewed journal articles, proceeding papers, and abstracts.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access