IUFRO Breeding theory and progeny testing

PLANTPLAN Genetics Pty Ltd and the Southern Tree Breeding Association are pleased to invite you to a course on “Progeny Trial Analysis with ASReml�.
Aim
The course is aimed at tree breeders and analysts who undertake forest progeny trial analysis, with an emphasis on estimation of variances and correlations, and breeding value prediction using the ASReml software. The course will cover the basics of linear models, breeding values and the use of ASReml. It will also cover advanced models for spatial analysis, multi-variate analysis, longitudinal analysis and across-site analysis.
Presenters
The course will be presented by experts in the field of forest quantitative genetic analysis. Dr Greg Dutkowski and Dr Richard Kerr have extensive experience in the use and teaching of ASReml for progeny trial analysis and breeding value prediction. Greg’s doctoral work on spatial analysis was supervised by the author of ASReml, Dr Arthur Gilmour. Dr Richard Kerr has many years experience in quantitative genetics of trees and animals and was a primary developer of the TREEPLAN® genetic evaluation system for trees, to which Greg and Luis Apiolaza also contributed.
Details
The course is planned to be held at the Woolstore Hotel, Macquarie St, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, from 29th -31st March 2006, Cost to attend the course will be $250 for members of the Southern Tree Breeding Association and clients of PLANTPLAN Genetics, or $500 for other participants. The fee will cover facilities, refreshments and lunch. Attendees should provide their own laptop computers and should pre-install the ASReml software. Course material are planned to be made available before the course for preparatory work, and attendees are encouraged to bring along their own sample data for exploration.
Registration
As the number of participants will be limited, an early expression of interest in attending the course should be sent to Peter Cunningham +61-8-87230688, pcunningham@stba.com.au. A non-refundable deposit of 50% will be required by March 15th 2006, with final payment at the course.