TECNICHE DI ALLEVAMENTO ANIMALE

1) Knowledge and understanding: The course aims to provide students with a basic understanding of the physiology of the reproductive system, the oestrus cycle of females in livestock production, the rearing of young stock, feeding techniques for dairy and beef cattle, and meat production using the cow-calf system, as well as providing an introduction to the rearing of poultry and pigs.

2) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Students will acquire skills in traditional and modern methods for identifying fertile periods; in applying reproductive efficiency parameters; in rationing for dairy cows, both in production and when dry; in rationing for light and heavy beef calves; as well as some fundamentals regarding the production of laying hens, broiler chickens and light pigs.      
     
 3) Activities at livestock farms: Students, working in groups, will undertake short placements at a number of livestock farms for demonstrations and practical assessments on the main topics of the course, ranging from observing the most modern milk production techniques to those concerning the most efficient methods for achieving the slaughter weights most in demand on the meat market.

4) Independent judgement: During the course, students are encouraged to develop their own independent ability to judge the significance and cultural and professional relevance of the topics covered. In particular, the ability to gather and interpret data useful for forming independent judgements is fostered through individual presentations on topics provided by the lecturer, group exercises; group study visits; and the writing of papers by students following bibliographic research. Independent judgement is therefore developed progressively and requires personal commitment on the part of the student, which will be assessed during the examination.

5) Communication skills: The ability to communicate information, ideas and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences is fostered through the involvement of students in guided discussions and the presentation of written work, with critical assessment by the lecturer during the assessed examination.

6) Learning skills: Students must acquire the ability to learn and study independently and to keep themselves constantly up to date with new knowledge emerging from research. This ability is fostered and assessed by involving students in the drafting of in-depth reports and presentations to be delivered to the lecturer during the final examination.

The teaching will be divided into 21 hours (3 CFU) of lectures and 42 hours (3 CFU) of classroom exercises (seminar activities, simulations of rationing schemes for cattle) and outdoor in the form of technical visits to livestock farms in the area.

If the teaching is taught in mixed mode or remotely, the necessary changes may be introduced with respect to what was previously declared in order to comply with the expected program reported in the syllabus.

The student must possess basic knowledge of animal husbandry systems and animal characteristics (genetic types, production) acquired during the general zootechnics course.

Attendance is not mandatory but strongly recommended.

1 Reproductive efficiency of cattle Objectives, influencing factors, simple fertility indices (intercalving, Days open, DFS, etc.) and composite (CR, SR, PR). Techniques for improving reproductive efficiency (IS, ET, Ovum pick-up, Pregnancy diagnosis). Calculation simulations of simple and composite fertility indices through both manual and electronic approaches (Excel spreadsheet). Text 1 – chapter 9; scientific and popular articles; pdf slides uploaded by the teacher on the studium.unict platform
2 Young cattle breeding techniques Calf breeding during lactation/weaning; heifer breeding. Text 1 - chapter 10; pdf slides uploaded by the teacher on the studium.unict platform
3 Dairy cattle breeding techniques Management of lactating, dry, transition cows. Construction of rationing schemes through both manual and electronic support (Excel spreadsheet) applied to cattle farms fed with unifeed rations. Seminar activity on milk quality, animal welfare. Text 1 - Chapter 6; Text 2 - Chapter 5; pdf slides uploaded by the teacher on the studium.unict platform

4 Beef cattle breeding techniques Meat production: supply chain, types of production, carcasses and meat; Beef breeding techniques (light and heavy); Construction of rationing schemes using both manual and electronic support (Excel spreadsheet) applied to beef cattle breeding. Breeding techniques for white veal. Cow-calf line. Seminar activity on meat quality, animal welfare. Text 1 - Chapters 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28; pdf slides uploaded by the teacher on the studium.unict platform
5 Breeding of small ruminants Notes on reproductive and breeding aspects. Text 1 - Chapter 17; pdf slides uploaded by the teacher on the studium.unict platform
6 Monogastric supply chains Pigs: production, quality, breeding; Poultry: broilers, layers. Text 1 - Chapters 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40,41,42; pdf slides uploaded by the teacher on the studium.unict platform

1.Sandrucci, A., Trevisi, E. (2022). Produzioni Animali. EdiSES Università.

2.Ronchi, B., Savoini, G., Trabalza-Marinucci, M. (2020). Manuale di Nutrizione dei Ruminanti da Latte. EdiSES Università.

3.Dell’Orto, V., Savoini, G. (2005). Alimentazione della vacca da latte. Edagricole.

4.Cerolini, S., Marzoni Fecia di Cossato, M., Romboli, I., Schiavone, A., Zaniboni, L. (2008). Avicoltura e Coniglicoltura. Point Veterinaire Italie. 

Articoli vari da riviste specializzate. Dispense del docente. PDF presentazioni lezioni fornite dal docente.

Learning outcomes will be assessed through two written examinations. The written examinations will consist of open-ended questions and exercises involving the calculation of reproductive efficiency indices for cattle and the formulation of feeding plans for cattle (dairy and beef).  Each written examination will contribute half of the final mark, which will be calculated as the arithmetic mean of the two marks.


The student's preparation will be evaluated based on the following criteria: learning ability and level of depth of the topics covered, ability to summarise and present, reasoning ability of the student.

The vote will follow the following scheme:

Not suitable

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Important deficiencies. Significant inaccuracies

Analysis and synthesis ability: Irrelevant. Frequent generalisations. Inability to summarize

Use of references: Completely inappropriate

18-20

Knowledge and understanding of topic: At threshold level. Obvious imperfections

Analysis and synthesis skills: Barely sufficient skills

Use of references: Barely appropriate

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of topic: Routine knowledge Analysis and synthesis skills: Is capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Argues logically and coherently

Use of references: Uses standard references

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of topic: Good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has good analysis and synthesis skills. The topics are expressed coherently

Use of references: Uses standard references

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: More than good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has notable analysis and synthesis skills

Use of references: Has studied the topics in depth

30-30L

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has notable analysis and synthesis skills.

Use of references: Important in-depth studies.

1. What are the most important fertility indices for assessing the reproductive efficiency of a cattle farm?
2. Criteria for drawing up a feeding plan for dry or lactating cows, or for beef cattle.
3. Description of cattle slaughter categories
4. Rearing of young stock
5. Rearing according to the cow-calf system