Genes for Cowboys

by Sheila M. Schmutz, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Canada

This is a web based book written to help ranchers and agriculture students understand genetics relevant to beef cattle. This book is in progress and chapters will be added as they are completed. This page was orginally mounted on Sept. 28, 2002 and was last updated on Feb. 13, 2004

The goal of this "book" is to help ranchers and agriculture students understand the recent developments in genetics as they relate to cattle. DNA studies and molecular genetics are the focus, as opposed to quantitative genetics. Several other books on quantitative genetics have been published and you are advised to seek out some of those for information of that nature.

Feedback is welcome, especially if you think something is not clear.

General Genetics References

  • The Genetics of Cattle
    • edited by R. Fries and A. Ruvinsky, 2000, CAB International
  • Introduction to Veterinary Genetics, 1996, F. W. Nicholas, Oxford University Press

    Links to Other Cattle Genetics Websites

  • Cattle Breeds
    • Illustrated site of cattle breeds of the world hosted by the Unversity of Oklahoma
  • Cattle Gene Maps
    • Texas A & M site with links to the various cattle gene maps
  • BovMap
    • Information about genes mapped in cattle

    for further information contact:

    Sheila M. Schmutz, Ph.D., Professor

    Department of Animal and Poultry Science

    College of Agriculture

    University of Saskatchewan

    Saskatoon, Canada S7N 5A8

    phone: (306)966-4153 fax: (306)966-4151

    e-mail schmutz@sask.usask.ca