Animal breeding — The national approach

Abstract

Extract

No one would question the importance of successful animal breeding to the economy of a country such as New Zealand where more than 90% of the national overseas earnings are derived from animals and their products. The reproductive efficiency of all classes of livestock is very much a veterinary concern, as much of the daily work of practicing veterinary surgeons and many of their research projects are concerned with regular and healthy reproduction. Animal breeding, however, covers a good deal more than regular reproduction. It is usually accepted as implying that there is some objective in the reproductive process beyond mere multiplication, so that progeny excel over their parents in some selected characters.