This second edition continues the highly successful presentation of all concepts related to animal breeding. Keeping math to a minimum, the book requires no prior experience in genetics or statistics. It is easy to read and understand, organized in a format that stresses application before explaining theory in order to ensure a better overall understanding of the material. This "application before theory" approach gives the reader a better perspective on the application of theoretical concepts, so that the concepts then take on more meaning.

Virtually every element crucial to the successful breeding of animals is covered in this text, including Mendelian inheritance, simple inherited and polygenic traits, genetic prediction, large-scale genetic evaluation, correlated response to selection, multiple trait selection, and extensive coverage of mating systems, strategies and techniques. Diagrams are used liberally to illustrate statistical concepts. Key ideas are defined in the margins when they are first introduced in the text, and key terms are also listed in the glossary for quick reference. This second edition provides the most technologically up-to-date information available.