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Alternatives for the utilization of tropical sheep and goat genetic resources for the tropics^*

H.D. Blackburn^II

^IIDepartment of Animal Science, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, College Station, Texas 77843 U.S.A

ABSTRACT

The genetic diversity of sheep and goats found in tropical areas of Latin America provides an opportunity for geneticists to mold desirable combinations of genes resulting in greater productivity. Successful manipulation of these animals will depend upon the animal breeder being cognizant of the production system the animals are to perform in and the wide range of tools that the animal breeder can use. it is suggested that a holistic approach in evaluating genetic resources be applied. To facilitate such an approach systems analysis and computer simulation should be incorporated into the design phase of animal breeding experiments.

Keywords: Tropical sheep; Goat.

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* Invited paper presented at the International Symposium on Utilization of Animal Genetic Resources in Latin America, Sept. 4-11,1989, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil.