ANIMAL PRODUCTIONModule ANIMAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: SERENA TUMINOExpected Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding abilities: The student will acquire knowledge about livestock systems, zootechnical demography and ethnology, and the genetic causes of production variability, in order to derive principles and methods for farm management and genetic improvement of breeds and the quality of animal production.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The student will be able to describe the variables of livestock systems, identifing the main productive characteristics in the different territories, and select breeds based on their specialization, milk and meat. The student will be able to distinguish the roles of breed associations and protection consortia.
Autonomy of judgment: Diversifying teaching activities will help to enhance the autonomy of judgment and critical thinking. The combination of knowledge and skills acquired through lectures and other activities (including thematic insights, video tutorials, seminars with sector experts, classroom discussions, workshops and technical visits) will offer the student a variety of learning methods useful for promoting conscious learning and making appropriate decisions independently based on specific requests.
Communication skills: Attendance at lectures and reading the recommended texts will help the student to acquire and use technical language; the use of English sources will also allow them to acquire the basics of technical language in this language. The student will be encouraged to use technical language during classroom discussions, other activities, and mid-term tests, which will also foster the acquisition of summarization skills.
Learning skills: The organization of the course represents a study and work method that emphasizes the quality of sources and can be replicated and pursued independently. This method can be useful for preparing the thesis, for continuing studies, and for continuous updating of the knowledge and skills necessary for the profession.
Course Structure
Lectures and practical exercises (classroom and company), including on line
If the course is given in a mixed formula or remotely, necessary changes may be introduced to what was previously stated in order to comply with the provided and reported syllabus.
Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, interested students can request a personal meeting to plan any compensatory and/or exemptive measures, based on the learning objectives and specific needs.
It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Inclusion - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs) representatives for our department, Prof. Anna De Angelis
Required Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of chemical and biological areas and applied to food of animal origin
Attendance of Lessons
Attendance to the courses is not mandatory; however, it is highly recommended as it facilitates the learning process and the merit-based evaluation of the student.
Detailed Course Content
Role of the livestock production system
Genetic resources and their productions
Adaptation of livestock systems to climate change.
Milk and meat production in cattle, sheep-goats, and pigs.
Endangered autochthonous breeds.
Livestock production and selection of reproducers using phenotypic observations.
Crossbreeding to improve the quality of the productions
Practical exercises and technical visits will be carried out at livestock farms.
Contribution of the course to the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Textbook Information
1 - Produzioni Animali (EdiSRS Università): Anna Sandrucci e Erminio Trevisi
Other teaching material for students, available in the STUDIUM repository consist of:
-) Copies of the power points shown during the classes and seminars.
-) Link to the video tutorials.
-) Scientific articles and other teaching material
| Author | Title | Publisher | Year | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Sandrucci e Erminio Trevisi | Produzioni Animali | EdiSES | 2022 | 9788836230754 |
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ISTAT and VII Agricultural Census - BDN (National Database). The Livestock System. Intensive, extensive, semi-extensive/intensive, and landless farming systems. Adaptation of livestock systems to climate change | Lecture notes and copies of the slides presented in class |
| 2 | Introduction to animal anatomy and morphology. Morphological types and productive traits: specialization in milk production; specialization in meat production; dual-purpose traits | Lecture notes and copies of the slides presented in class |
| 3 | Genetic types specialized in milk production in cattle, dual-purpose breeds. Breed associations and Protection Consortia | Chapters from the textbook (2, 3, and 4). Lecture notes and copies of the slides presented in class and during the thematic seminars, along with links to the videos shown |
| 4 | Safeguarding Biodiversity of Zootechnical Interest. Biodiversity and the role of Slow Food in the conservation and promotion of animal breeds and products; quality labels, valorization of single-breed dairy products | Lecture notes and copies of the slides presented in class |
| 5 | Specialized genetic types: Beef production in cattle. Quality labels: PGI “Vitellone Bianco dell’Appennino Centrale”; pig breeds and quality labels: PGI “Suino Padano”, “Suino Mediterraneo” | Chapters from the textbook (20, 21, 22, 31, 32, and 34). Lecture notes and copies of the slides presented in class and during the thematic seminars, along with links to the videos shown |
| 6 | Sheep and goat production: sheep's milk and Italian PDO cheeses, goat's milk and milk casein polymorphism | Chapters from the textbook (17 and 18). Lecture notes and copies of the slides presented in class and during thematic seminars, along with links to the videos shown |
| 7 | Milk quality in the dairy supply chain: Lactodynamography and k-casein polymorphism. | Lecture notes and copies of the slides presented in class |
| 8 | Introduction to genetic improvement: qualitative and quantitative traits. Breeding evaluation tests; crossbreeding techniques aimed at improving production | Lecture notes and copies of the slides presented in class |
| 9 | The safeguarding and promotion of biodiversity among the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Goals No. 12 - 13 - 15 | Lecture notes and copies of the slides presented in class |
| 10 | Technical visits to livestock farms, processing companies of animal products, and institutions operating in the sector | Lecture notes and copies of the slides presented in class |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Ongoing tests and final oral exam.
The grading of the students will follow the following scheme:
- Not Eligible
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: important shortcomings and significant inaccuracies
Autonomy of judgment and communication skills: irrelevant. Frequent generalizations and inability to synthesize Deepening skills: Irrelevant
- 18-21
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: low level. Demonstrates numerous deficiencies in knowledge and understanding of the study program.
Autonomy of judgment and communication skills: just sufficient. The arguments are expressed in an inconsistent and fragmented way.
Deepening skills: imprecise and irrelevant.
- 22-25
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: medium level. Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding of the study program.
Autonomy of judgment and communication skills: sufficient analytical and synthesis skills. The arguments are expressed in a logical and coherent way.
Deepening skills: sufficiently relevant.
- 26-29
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: high level. Demonstrates a high knowledge and understanding of the study program.
Autonomy of judgment and communication skills: high analytical and synthesis skills. The arguments are expressed by demonstrating a high critical evaluation and good language properties
Deepening skills: high
- 30-30L
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent level. Demonstrates excellent knowledge and understanding of the study program.
Autonomy of judgment and communication skills: analytical and synthesis skills worthy of note. The arguments are expressed by demonstrating an excellent critical evaluation and excellent language properties.
Deepening skills: excellent
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
1. Livestock Demography: Number of cattle raised in Italy and main farming regions; the Landless Livestock System.
2. Biometrics; The digestive system in goats and pigs.
3. Difference between the "Respiratory Type" and the "Digestive Type."
4. Direct and indirect impact of climate change on livestock production.
5. Average production and milk quality in the Bruna Italiana breed; examples of Sicilian livestock products promoted by Slow Food.
6. Italian PGI quality labels protecting national breeds; the production of heavy pigs in Italy.
7. Main sheep breeds primarily for milk production; casein polymorphisms in goat milk and possible uses.
8. Lactodynamographic parameters and their effects on dairy yield; single-breed cheeses certified by the EU.
9. Main quantitative traits of zootechnical interest.
10. Performance Test; Sib Test.
11. Industrial crossbreeding; commercial hybrids; selection for milk quality intended for cheesemaking.