Genetic Improvement in Farmer Herds
Selective breeding within zebu cattle is expected to yield 1% genetic gain per year in organized herds whereas genetic improvement in farmer herds is-
- Around 10% — Correct Answer
- 5%
- 2%
- 1%
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Around 10%
While selective breeding in already-optimized organized herds yields a slow 1% gain, the same strategy applied to low-performing farmer herds (which start from a much lower genetic base) can produce dramatic gains of around 10% initially.
Genetic Gain by Herd Type
| Herd Type | Breeding Strategy | Expected Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Organized research herds (zebu cattle) | Selective breeding | ~1% per year |
| Farmer/Village herds (zebu cattle) | Selective breeding using improved sires | ~10% initially |
| Non-descript cattle (any herd) | Crossbreeding / Grading up | >5% annually |
📚 About this Topic — Animal Genetics & Breeding
This multiple choice question is from Animal Genetics & Breeding, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Genetics & Breeding to strengthen your preparation.
