Cattle genetic resources

General Preface. Preface to Volume B7. 1. International Administration and Coordination of Efforts to Conserve and Effectively Utilize Cattle and Water Buffalo Genetic Resources (R.W. Philips). Man's dependence upon the genetic resources of domesticated plants and animals. Need for effective animal genetic resource management at the local, national and international levels. Roles of educational and research institutions. Roles of international organizations. 2. Modern Needs for Different Genetic Types (J.D. Turton). The effect of environmental stress on productivity. Bos indicus versus Bos taurus cattle. Genotype - environment interaction. The role of the buffalo in animal production. Resistance to diseases or parasites. Crossbreeding and heterosis. Major genes. Double-muscling. Composition of animal products. Small populations - their vulnerability to extinction. Finale. 3. Domestication: A Forward Step in Civilization (W.J.A. Payne). The origin of cattle and buffaloes. Dispersal of cattle from centres of domestication. Dispersal of buffaloes from centres of domestication. Present distribution of cattle and buffaloes. Possible future change in cattle and buffalo populations. 4. Cattle Genetic Resources of West Africa (P. Lhoste). Cattle numbers. Principal cattle genetic types. Genetic improvement in traditional cattle breeding. Genetic improvement through the introduction of foreign breeds. 5. Special Regional Problems of Breeding Resources - Latin American and Caribbean Examples (J.v. Wilkins). Criollo cattle of Latin American. Criollo cattle and milk production. Criollo cattle for beef production. Criollo cattle in the Andes. Special problems associated with breeding for milk production in the Andes. Milk production in the semi-tropical and tropical zones. Beef breeding in semi-tropical and tropical zones. Cattle for work. Buffaloes in Latin America and the Caribbean. 6. Utilizing Genetic Resources in Canada (H.T. Fredeen). Introduction of cattle to North America. Early breeding research. New breeds in Canada. Canadian research with the new breeds. Future research. 7. Genetic Resource Problems: Temperate North America (T.G. Martin). Present and future status of cattle populations. Breeding programmes. Control of reproduction. Exchange of genetic material. Management considerations. 8. Draught Cattle World Resources, Systems of Utilization and Potential for Improvement (P. Starkey). World utilization of draught cattle. Choice of technology and management systems. Systems of utilizing draught cattle. The breeding of draught cattle. Prospects and priorities. 9. Breed Identification and Development (J.D. MacKechnie and K. Meyn). Breed definition and history. Present importance of cattle breeds. Overview. Tools of selection. 10. Population Genetics, Molecular Markers and Gene Conservation of Bovine Breeds (C.M.A. Baker and C. Manwell). How did the present degree of genetic erosion come about? Reasons for conservation. Genetic resources. Population structure. Diversity. Population structure and practical conservation. Phylogenetic patterns. Case histories. Application to practical conservation: recommendations. Acknowledgements. References. List of Contributors. Subject Index.