SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS

Module SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

The course aims to provide knowledge and abilities related to the sustainable management of animal farms. With reference to the Dublin Descriptors, the course aims to provide the following knowledge and skills:

Knowledge and understanding abilities: The student will acquire specific knowledge on the relationships between livestock activities and environmental resource. The student will be able to identify the factors determining environmental protection or degradation and the most important sustainability indicators useful in this field. These knowledges allow student to be able to manage livestock systems, ruminant systems in particular, with a sustainable approach.

Applying knowledge and understanding abilities: At the end of the course, students will have acquired specific knowledge and skills of the sector relevant to the sustainable management of animal production systems, with particular attention to the environmental sustainability of ruminant farming systems.

Making judgements: The set of knowledge and skills acquired through lectures and other activities (aiming at deepening certain topics, acquiring the basics of analysing and processing data using spreadsheets, and engaging with local farmers and professionals) will offer the student various useful forms of learning to encourage conscious learning and autonomously make the appropriate choices based on specific requests.

Communication skills: Attending lessons and other activities, classroom discussions and reading the recommended texts will help the student in the acquisition and use of technical language. Consulting study materials in English will also help students to acquire a basic understanding of technical terminology in that language.

Learning skills: The organization of teaching (a review of the international scientific literature on the various topics covered in the course; the use of selected literature reviews as a source of further insight into certain topics; and discussions with technical experts and professionals) represents a study and work method that is based on the importance of the quality of the sources and can be replicated and pursued independently. This method can be useful for the preparation of the degree thesis, for the continuation of studies and for the continuous updating of the knowledge and skills necessary for the profession.

The course will consist of conventional lectures (3 ECTS) and other activities (3 ECTS). The other activities may include thematic classroom and laboratory activities or in-field activities. Some topics will be treated in specific seminars given by the professor or by guest experts in the field or classroom discussion of technical and scientific literature by students. Some of the other activities may be carried out jointly for both modules of the integrated course.

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.

It is very useful to have a basic understanding of the disciplines relating to the livestock sector.

Attending the classes is not mandatory, but strongly recommended, as it facilitates the learning process and contributes to the achievement of the learning objectives. The professor may occasionally verify attendance by collecting students' signatures for statistical purposes.

Animal husbandry and its relationship with the environment: land protection or environmental degradation.

Useful indicators for assessing the sustainability of animal production systems.

Greenhouse gas emissions from livestock sector: data, physiological origin, and mitigation strategies.

N and P excretions: data, physiological origin, mitigation strategies, and precision feeding.

Management of small ruminants in the Mediterranean area; application of precision livestock farming.

Techniques for free-range pig farming.

Alternative feed resources to conventional ones in animal feeding.

Organic livestock farming: regulatory constraints, effects on production and product quality, and environmental impacts.

This course contributes to the objectives of the 2030 Agenda by promoting sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. Specifically: i) It encourages the responsible use of resources (e.g. water, soil, biodiversity, etc.), reducing waste and environmental impact (Goals 6, 12, 13, 14, 15); ii) It supports food security through consistent, high-quality production (Goal 2); iii) It fosters innovation, technical training and green skills in today’s students and tomorrow’s workers (Goal 4).

The recommended textbooks are available at the department library.

The lecturer uploads complementary teaching materials to the Studium platform during the course: slides discussed during the classes and other activities, and scientific publications. Additional papers will be also available on Studium for deepening specific topics, as supplementary educational material.

The final assessment of learning takes place through an oral exam that begins with a question on a topic chosen by the student. In addition to the relevance of the answers with respect to the questions formulated, the level of in-depth study, the property of technical language, the ability to connect and give examples and the overall expressive ability of the student will be evaluated. Verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, if needed.

The note system is as follows:

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.

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).

Alternative feed resources in animal feeding. Differences between organic and conventional farming systems. Strategies for reducing GHG emissions from ruminants. Sustainability indicators.