Main Topics

Species breeding

• Dairy cattle and buffalo breeding (jointly with Interbull)
• Beef cattle breeding
• Sheep and goat breeding for milk, meat and fibre
• Pig breeding
• Poultry breeding (chicken – layers, chicken – broilers, other poultry species)
• Horse breeding
• Breeding in aquacultural species
• Breeding of further species (rabbits, grass cutter, etc.)

Genetics of trait complexes

• Reproduction
• Lactation
• Growth, development, feed intake and efficiency
• Disease resistance
• Behaviour
• Product quality (meat, milk, etc.)

Methods and tools

• Statistical and genomic tools for mapping QTL and genes
• Population genomics
• Functional genomics and systems biology
• Statistical methods - linear and non-linear models
• Software and bioinformatics

Genetic improvement programmes

• Advances in selection theory including experimental demonstrations
• Selection using molecular information
• Design of selection schemes exploiting additive and/or non-additive effects
• Selection for harsh environments (e.g. tropics)
• Breeding objectives and economics of selection schemes
• Management of animal genetic resources - quo vadis after the state of the world report (jointly with FAO)

Special topics

• Breeding and animal welfare
• Animal breeding and the environmental challenges
• Education and training