ANIMAL PRODUCTION

Module ANIMAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

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.

Applying knowledge and understanding:  The student will be able to describe the variables of livestock systems, identifyng 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.

The course includes lectures, classroom and on-farm practical activities, seminars and technical visits. Lectures are aimed at developing theoretical knowledge, while practical activities and case discussions support the application of knowledge, independent judgement and the use of technical terminology.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus

Basic knowledge of chemistry and biology applied to foods of animal origin is useful for understanding the course contents.

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, cf. Point 3.1 of the Teaching Regulations of the CL L-26

Livestock demographics and main livestock farming systems, with a brief overview of their adaptation to climate change.

Functional morphology, production aptitudes, and the main cattle genetic types specialized for dairy, beef and dual-purpose production.

Livestock biodiversity, breed associations, PDO, PGI and TSG quality schemes, and the role of Protection Consortia.

Cattle, pig, sheep and goat production.

Milk quality and suitability for cheesemaking: protein composition, casein micelles, milk coagulation, lactodynamographic parameters and κ-casein polymorphism.

Introduction to genetic improvement, selection and evaluation of breeding animals.

Practical activities and technical visits will be carried out at livestock farms.

Contribution of the course to the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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

Learning assessment includes two optional mid-term written tests and a final oral examination.

During the course, students will be offered two mid-term written tests, each covering one of the two parts of the programme. Each test will last 60 minutes and will include open-ended and closed-ended questions. Students who do not take or do not pass one or both mid-term tests will be assessed on the corresponding course contents during the oral examination held in the official examination sessions.

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

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

     1.     Livestock Demography: Number of cattle raised in Italy and main farming regions; the Landless Livestock System.

2.     Difference between the "Respiratory Type" and the "Digestive Type."

3.     Structure of casein micelles and milk coagulation

4.     Average production and milk quality in the Bruna Italiana breed; examples of Sicilian livestock products promoted by Slow Food.

5.     Italian PGI quality labels protecting national breeds; the production of heavy pigs in Italy.

6.     Main sheep breeds primarily for milk production; casein polymorphisms in goat milk and possible uses.

7.     Lactodynamographic parameters and their effects on dairy yield; single-breed cheeses certified by the EU.

8.     Main quantitative traits of zootechnical interest.

9.     Performance Test; Sib Test.

10.  κ-casein polymorphism and its effects on suitability for cheesemaking and cheese yield