Applied Animal Husbandry

The student will acquire the basic knowledge of the physiology of the reproductive system of ruminants necessary to understand the techniques for improving reproductive efficiency (Instrumental insemination, Embryo-transfer, Ovum pick-up, pregnancy diagnosis) and for its evaluation through the processing of fertility indices using both a manual and electronic approach (Excel). The student will also be introduced to the breeding techniques of the various categories of dairy cattle (calves, heifers, lactating, dry, transition cows) and beef cattle (white meat calves, young bulls, animals at the end of their career, cow-calf line), with particular attention to the development of feeding plans using both a manual and electronic approach (Excel), aimed at maintaining high quality standards of products (milk, meat) and in full compliance with animal welfare. The student will also acquire knowledge on topics (Small ruminants, product quality, animal welfare, monogastric breeding chains), which are the subject of seminar activities. The student's knowledge will be further implemented through the organization of technical visits to local livestock farms.

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.

The learning assessment will be done through a written test and an oral interview. The written test will consist of open-ended questions and exercises to calculate the reproductive efficiency indices of bovine animals and to build rationing schemes for the bovine species (milk, meat). The oral interview will be on a topic chosen from the topics covered in the seminar activities (small ruminants, pigs, poultry). The evaluation of the written test will contribute 2/3 to the final grade while the oral interview will contribute 1/3.

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 to evaluate the reproductive efficiency of a cattle farm?
2. Criteria for the construction of a rationing scheme for dry or lactating cows.

3. Description of the categories of cattle slaughter