Applied Animal Husbandry

The aim of the course is to enable the student to acquire fundamental knowledge on the management of the main livestock species.

Knowledge and understanding

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 calculation of fertility indices via both manual and electronic (Excel) approaches. The student will also be made aware of the breeding techniques of the various categories of dairy cattle (calves, heifers, lactating, dry and transition cows) and beef cattle (white meat calves, young bulls, end-of-career animals, cow-calf line ), with a focus on how to set animal diets using both a manual and electronic approach (Excel), aimed at maintaining high quality standards of the products (milk, meat) and fully respecting animal welfare. The student will also acquire knowledge on topics (Small ruminants, product quality, animal welfare, monogastric farming supply chains), the subject of seminar activities. The student's knowledge will be further implemented through the organization of technical visits to local livestock farms.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course the student will be able to evaluate and implement the productive and reproductive efficiency of a livestock farm through the ability to construct feed rationing schemes for animals aimed at maintaining high quality standards of the product and through the development and correct interpretation of fertility indices, via both manual and electronic approaches.

Autonomy of judgement

The student will be able to independently develop solutions to problems relating to the management of livestock farming. This ability is refined through classroom exercises, problem solving, and through discussions with stakeholders during scheduled technical visits to local livestock farms.

Communication skills

The student will acquire an appropriate technical language on animal breeding issues and will be able to interact with work colleagues to discuss solutions and choices relating to the management of livestock farming. To this end, the oral exam and interviews during the course of study will allow the refinement of technical language and communication skills.

Learning ability

The student will be able to independently improve their knowledge of animal breeding techniques through consultation and in-depth study of reference texts, articles published in specialized scientific journals, informative articles, and through the ideas offered by the planned seminar activities and interviews with stakeholders during scheduled technical visits in livestock farms .

The course includes 21 hours (4 CFU) of lectures and 42 hours (6 CFU) of classroom exercises (seminar activities, simulations of rationing schemes for cattle) and technical visits to local livestock farms.

If the teaching is taught in mixed or remote mode, the necessary variations may be introduced with respect to what was previously stated with a view to respecting the planned program reported in the syllabus.

Notes on anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system of the bovine species.

Reproductive efficiency of cattle

Goals, influencing factors, simple (interpartum, Days open, DFS, etc...) and compound (CR, SR, PR) fertility indices. Techniques for improving reproductive efficiency (IS, ET, Ovum pick-up, pregnancy diagnosis). Calculation simulations of fertility indices through both manual and electronic approaches (Excel spreadsheet).

Young livestock rearing techniques

Suckling/weaning calves; heifer breeding.

Dairy cattle breeding techniques

Management of lactating, dry and transition cows. Formulation of feed rationing schemes using both a manual and electronic approach (Excel spreadsheet) applied to cattle farms fed with TMR rations. Seminar activity on milk quality, animal welfare.

Beef cattle breeding techniques

Meat production: supply chain, types of production, carcasses and meat; Young bull rearing techniques (light and heavy); Dietary formulation schemes through both manual and electronic approaches (Excel spreadsheet) applied to beef cattle farms. White meat veal breeding techniques. Cow-calf line. Seminar activity on meat quality, animal welfare.

Breeding of small ruminants

Reproductive and breeding aspects

Monogastric supply chains

Pigs: production, quality, breeding; Poultry: broilers, layers.

 1.   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. 

Various articles from specialized scientific or informative journals. Teacher's handouts. PDF presentations of lessons provided by the teacher.

VERIFICATION OF LEARNING

Verification of learning will take place through a written test and an oral interview. The written test will be divided into open-ended questions and exercises on calculating the reproductive efficiency indices of cows and on the construction of rationing schemes referring to the bovine species (milk, meat). The oral interview will be on a topic chosen from among the topics covered in the seminar activities (small ruminants, pigs, poultry). The evaluation of the written test will contribute 2/3 of 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, synthesis and exposition properties, reasoning ability of the student.

Voting will follow the following scheme:

Unsuitable

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

Analysis and synthesis skills: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize

Use of references: Completely inappropriate

18-20

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

Analysis and synthesis skills: Just sufficient skills

Use of references: As appropriate

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge Analysis and synthesis skills: Able to correctly analyze and summarize. Argue logically and coherently

Using references: Use standard references

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Good knowledge

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

Using references: Use standard references

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: More than good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has considerable analysis and synthesis skills

Use of references: He explored the topics in depth

30-30L

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge

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

Using references: Important insights.

1. What are the most important fertility indices for evaluating the reproductive efficiency of a cattle herd?

2. Criteria for the dietary formulation for dry or lactating cows.

3. How is the broiler breeding chain organised?