Learn How Livestock and other Animals are Bred
Livestock and other farm animals are many and varied. Although some people limit themselves to breeding or farming only one species, for others it makes more sense to rear several different species. However, regardless of whether you keep more than one animal or not, there are many aspects of breeding which are common across species.
This course provides a broad understanding of animal breeding and its applications in farming. It is essential learning for existing or would-be farmers and even if you've been breeding for a number of years you may be surprised by the wealth of information contained within this course. Learn about genetics and how to manipulate selection of favourable characteristics to improve the quality of your animals.
What the Course Covers
The course has 7 lessons covering:
1. Introduction to Genetics - Cell division, mitosis and meiosis
2. Genetics: Genes, dominance, sex determination, mutations, lethal genes, hybrid vigour
3. Selection: Animal breeding programmes, natural selection, artificial selection, regression
4. Pure Breeding - Inbreeding, close breeding, line breeding, advantages and disadvantages of inbreeding
5. Introduction to Cross Breeding
6. Cross Breeding
7. Livestock Improvement
Workload
Study when, where and however much you want. For most students, the course can be completed with a total of around 100 hours of study; and a commitment close to that may be needed to achieve desired learning outcomes.
Extra Reading
The following books, available through this web site are relevant supplementary reading for this course
- Beef Cattle
- Poultry
- Horse Care
Assessment
Self Assessment Tests are presented throughout the course. These are essentially an automated quiz. When you undertake a "SAT" or "Self Assessment Test", you will be able to see what you got correct, and what was incorrect; and in that way, you can identify your weaknesses.
Assignments are given at the end of each lesson. You should complete this assignment, paying careful attention to follow what is asked of you. It can be just as important to learn to work to specification, as it is to learn about the topic you are studying. Graduates who develop a habit of working to specification in the field of cattle farming, will impress employers, and will be more efficient when self employed.
A Final Exam is offered upon satisfactory completion of all assignments. This is optional. If you choose to apply for and do this exam, you will have the possibility of obtaining a "formal credit" or "Pass Certification" for this course. A fee applies. The exam may be sat under prearranged conditions anywhere in the world. This college will award you a formal transcript, upon successful completion of the exam, as proof of your results.
Recognition and Ethics
This college is a member of the ACS Affiliates Network; a group of colleges from several countries, affiliated with each other through ACS Distance Education.. Courses are developed with input from all of these colleges, aspiring to reflect internationally accepted standards and needs.
A strict "No Plagiarism" and "No fraud" policy exists. Assignments are checked for plagiarism, and assignments will not be deemed to have been completed, if work is not your own original creation, and is found to have been copied from elsewhere. If the person doing the course is discovered to be different to the name enrolled, the enrolment and any results will be recorded as invalid and any fees paid will be forfeited.
Refund Policy
A full refund less expenses (up to 15% of fees applied) is provided to anyone wishing to withdraw from a course, within 2 weeks of enrolment. This does not apply after the first assignment has been submitted and marked; or after the two weeks has expired.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS INSTITUTION?
We believe that we have an ethical responsibility to make good use of the fees you pay and the time you invest into an education through our college. To this end, our first priority is always your learning. This comes before issues such as formal accreditations, speculative marketing and bureaucratic processes which all too often add considerable costs to the running of colleges, and take resources away from the provision of more valuable services to the student.
This college focuses on facilitating your learning and support to optimise that learning. We recognise that learning is all about improving knowledge and skills in your long term memory. While some colleges may focus on getting you to pass exams, by committing knowledge to short term memory; we understand that such an approach is not true education, and does little to improve your long term career or business prospects.
How This Course Could Help You
Whether you're just curious about keeping animals in your back yard or you're serious about breeding, this course is bound to be of use. The more you can learn, the more you can provide optimal conditions for your animals.
This course will be of benefit to those seeking a rural lifestyle, hobby farmers, animal breeders, commercial farmers, and anyone involved in agricultural industries. Study it by itself or as part of a higher level qualification along with other animal and farming studies.