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Livestock Production

Course developers

Course abstract

During the course students will get acquainted with the peculiarities of the growth and development of different types of farm animals, breeds of farm animals, methods of assessing their productivity, as well as the selection of animals and its importance in breeding. Students will also learn about animal nutrition, where one of the most important principles of successful farming is the formulation of an economically justifiable feed ration, appropriate to the species and productivity of the animal.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students gain knowledge of the growth and development specifics of different species of farm animals, the methods of assessing their productivity and the importance of breeding in increasing the efficiency of the livestock sector. Students acquire knowledge about the role of nutrients in animal nutrition, production, standardization of animal nutrition, as well as the basic principles of food rationing. Knowledge is evaluated by the results of 2 tests.
Students are skilled to evaluate the level of productivity of animals of a given animal species and age group, to select animals according to the results of breeding evaluation, to choose the most suitable nutrients for each animal species and to make the rations suitable for their productivity level. Skills are assessed on the basis of the conclusions and explanations provided during the development of the practical work.
Students are competent to select animal species and breeds appropriate to the farm's production line and farming technology, to evaluate the productivity carcass of an individual animal and herd, to evaluate the quality of feed available to animals and to plan a balanced feeding of animals. The acquired competences are evaluated according to the conclusions made during the practical work, as well as the answers given to the test questions.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Characteristics of the livestock sector and links with other sectors. Livestock legislation. L- 2 h.
2. Growth and development of farm animals. Growth rate and intensity. L- 2 h; Pr.w. -2 h.
3. Animal recording, its role in increasing herd productivity. Exterior, its evaluation methods. L- 2 h; Pr.w.-3 h.
4. Theory of selection. Breeding methods in animal husbandry. Pure breeding and crossing.L- 2 h; Pr.w.-2 h.
5. Breeding work, documents regulating it. L- 2 h; Pr.w. - 2 h.
6. Milk productivity of dairy cows, analysis of its influencing factors. L- 2 h; Pr.w. - 2 h.
7. Beef productivity, factors affecting it. L- 2 h; Pr.w.- 2 h.
8. Importance of breeding work in pig production. Structure of the pig herd.L- 2 h; Pr.w.- 2 h.
Test 1. Productivity, characteristics and influencing factors of different species of livestock. Recording role in livestock farming.
9. Feed dry matter as a criteria for the standardization of animal nutrition. Importance of water in animal nutrition. The role of protein in animal nutrition. Main sources for supplying animals with rumen degradable (DIP) and non-rumen degradable protein (UIP) fractions. L- 2 h; Pr.w.- 2 h.
10. The role of fiber in animal nutrition. The role of NDF and ADF in the diet of different species. L- 2 h; Pr.w.- 2 h.
11. Types and role of lipids in metabolism of animal body. Main sources of fat in animal nutrition. L- 2 h; Pr.w.- 2 h.
12. Minerals and vitamins, their classification. Range of feed additive offers. L- 2 h; Pr.w.- 2 h.
13. General characteristics of the feed. Characteristics of bulk (coarse and succulent) fodder for feeding different species of animals. L- 2 h; Pr.w.- 2 h.
14. Complete nutrition, its characteristics and importance in providing animal nutrition. L- 2 h; Pr.w.- 2 h.
15. Characterization and role of feedstuffs and nutrients in animal nutrition. L- 2 h; Pr.w.- 2 h.
16. Feed additives and their characteristics in animal nutrition. L- 2 h; Pr.w.- 2 h.
Test 2. Importance and characterization of nutrients and feedstuffs in animal nutrition.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Practical works completed and credited, written tests successfully evaluated.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The student independently studies literature, summarizes the obtained information. At the end of the practical work students have to give comments and conclusions about the obtained results.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Each elaborated practical work is evaluated as “passed” or “failed”. Students, who have passed all practical work, are admitted to the exam. The examination mark consists of the average of two test marks.

Compulsory reading

1. Dairy cattle husbandry. [Online] [viewed 14.02.2019.]. http://journeytoforever.org/farm_library/AD14.pdf
2. Beef cattle health and husbandry for the NSW North coast. [Online] [viewed 14.02.2019.]. http://northcoast.lls.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/685388/Beef-cattle-health-and-husbandry-for-the-nsw-north-coast.pdf
3. Farmer's Hand Book on Pig Production. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2009. Available online on: http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/themes/documents/pigs/handbook%20on%20pig%20production_english%20layout-vietanm-draft.pdf
4. Animal Nutrition. 7th edition. Mc Donald., R.A.Edwards et al. (2014). Available: http://gohardanehco.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Animal-Nutrition.pdf
5. Animal nutrition training manual. Available: http://www.atnesa.org/docs/Alimuddin-Naseri-Animal-Nutrition-Manual.pdf
6. Common Terms Used in Animal Feeding and Nutrition. Available: https://athenaeum.libs.uga.edu/bitstream/handle/10724/12196/B1367.pdf?sequence=1

Further reading

1. Guide to good farming practice. [Online] [viewed 14.02.2019.]. http://www.fao.org/3/ba0027e/ba0027e00.pdf
2. Local cattle breeds in Europe: Development of policies and strategies for self-sustaining breeds. [Online] [viewed 14.02.2019.]. https://www.regionalcattlebreeds.eu/publications/documents/9789086866977cattlebreeds.pdf
3. Mičić, I., Rajić, Z., Živković, J., Orović, D., Mičić, M., Mičić, I., & Mičić, M. (2017). Optimal flock structure of pig farm providing minimum costs. Economics of Agriculture, 64(3), 1003-1018.
4. Animal diets and feed management (2012). https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1046729.pdf
5. Nutrient requirements for dairy cows (2001). Available:
https://profsite.um.ac.ir/~kalidari/software/NRC/HELP/NRC%202001.pdf

Periodicals and other sources

1. Journal of Dairy Science [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 10.02.2019.]. https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/
2. Proceedings of the Baltic animal breeding conference.
3. Agronomy research, žurnāls, [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 10.02.2019.]. Pieejams http://agronomy.emu.ee/
4. ScienceDirect database. [Online] [viewed 14.02.2019.]. https://www.sciencedirect.com
5. Hoard's Dairyman. USA. ISSN: 0018-2885.

Notes

Bachelor study program „Sustainable agriculture”