Course code LauZ2055

Credit points 3

Animal Husbandry

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures16

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes16

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation17.03.2015

Responsible UnitInstitute of Animal Science

Course developers

author prof.

Daina Jonkus

Dr. agr.

author lect.

Lāsma Cielava

Mg. agr.

Course abstract

In study course are covered information about breed characteristics, productivity traits and the quality of obtained production from different livestock and poultry species. Students gain perspective about housing and feeding systems and breeding methods used in animal husbandry, as well as breeding organization in Latvia and European Union. During the course students are introduced with different types of livestock productivity and with the factors that can affect its quality and quantity.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge – Students obtain knowledge about farm animal and poultry biological traits, their breeding, housing and feeding technologies and the evaluation methods of the quality and quantity of obtained production. Knowledge is evaluated by the results of 2 tests.
Skills – Students are skilled to evaluate the quality and quantity of obtained production. They are skilled to navigate different livestock documentation. Students can evaluate adequacy of keeping and housing conditions for the needs of different species of livestock and poultry. Skills are evaluated by the results of practical works – the given conclusions and explanations.
Competences – Students are competent to evaluate the level of productivity and its suitability for different species and breed livestock. Assess the suitability of housing and feeding conditions for different farm animal species. Competences are evaluated by the conclusions and explanations given in practical works as well as the results of prepared presentations.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. The domestication of farm animals. The diversity of breeds.
2. Different types of livestock production, volumes of production. Legislation in animal husbandry.
3. Situation in cattle husbandry. Breeding programs and their role in animal husbandry.
4. Livestock nutrition basics, feedstuffs, nutrients.
5. Milk productivity and quality, its affecting factors.
6. Milk recording system in Latvia. Reproduction traits and their role in increase of productivity.
7. Housing and feeding systems in dairy and beef farming.
1st Test. Beef and dairy cattle farming. Cow productivity, keeping and housing systems.
8. Beef farming. Situation in Latvia. Beef productivity and factors affecting it.
9. Assessment and evaluation of beef quality. Reproduction traits in beef farming.
10. Biological traits of pigs. Sow fertility and factors affecting it.
11. Housing and feeding methods in pig farms.
12. Sheep production, obtainment and market. Sheep productivity and the factors affecting it.
13. Goat breeding in Latvia. Goat production, productivity and factors affecting it. .
14. Poultry, feeding and norming of feed ration. Egg production and quality of meat.
15. Horse husbandry. The importance for evaluation of horse productive traits.
16. Non-traditional animal husbandry. The perspectives for different species and breeds in farms.
2nd Test. Housing and feeding peculiarities of small ruminants, poultry and horses.

Requirements for awarding credit points

It is necessary to get positive assessment in 3 tests, all practical papers and 2 individual papers must be developed and passed

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The student independently studies and collects information, prepares and presents 2 presentations on the given topic. The presentations must be prepared on 2 topics - "Characterization of the situation of different animal husbandry sectors" and "Characterization of one non-traditional animal husbandry branch".

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Independent works are evaluated with a mark after presentation of the prepared material. Only presentations and tests, which have been evaluated with at least 5 points, are passed.
Each practical assignment is evaluated as „passed” or „failed”. Evaluation of the study course can be obtained if all practical works have been developed and passed.
Control tests are graded on a 10-point scale. The final grade for students is calculated taking into account the average grade of presentations (50%) and the average grade of three tests (50%).

Compulsory reading

1. Ilsters A. Aprīkojums un izmaksas cūkkopībā. Rīga: LLU Ulbrokas Zinātnes centrs, 2001. 171 lpp.
2. Latvietis J. Lopbarība. Jelgava, 2013. 308 lpp.
3. Moderna piena ražošanas ferma: tehnoloģija, tehnika, apsaimniekošana. J. Priekuļa red. Jelgava: LLU, 2012. 240 lpp.
4. Norvele G., Kairiša D. Rokasgrāmata aitu audzētājiem. Latvija: Biedrība "Latvijas Aitu audzētāju asociācija", 2011. 97 lpp
5. Skagale G. Dzīvā sēta: cūku, aitu, kazu, trušu un putnu audzēšana. Lauku Avīzes Tematiskā avīze.Nr.1 (174). ISSN: 1407-4338. Rīga: Lauku Avīze, 2010, 64. lpp.
6. Seržāns A. Zirgkopība. – Rīga, 1968 - 222 lpp.

Further reading

1. Ciltsdarba programmas govkopībā, cūkkopībā, aitkopībā, kazkopībā, zirgkopībā. Pieejams: http://www.ldc.gov.lv/lv/likumdosana/
2. Labas lauksaimniecības prakses nosacījumi Latvijā. Jelgava, LLU. 1999.
3. Bruto seguma aprēķins zemnieku saimniecībai/ LLKC- Ozolnieki.

Periodicals and other sources

1. AgroTops. Rīga: Aģentūra Agro apgāds. ISSN 1407-5164.
2. Saimnieks LV. Rīga: TEE BIO, 2004- ISSN 1691-1598.
3. Latvijas Lopkopis. Ozolnieki. LLKC izdevums.

Notes

Compulsory study course for students of faculty of Economics and Social Development in study direction Agrarian and Environmental Economics.