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Goat husbandry

Course developer

Prior knowledge

LauZ3145, Animal Nutrition

LauZB022, Animal Breeding and Breeding Plans

Vete2023, Animal Anatomy and Physiology

Course abstract

Completing the course will give the possibility to assess the goat farming situation in Latvian and in the World, it will be possible to understand the feeding and housing requirements of goats, based on production of different products. It will help to understand the importance of appropriate breeding methods to increase profitability.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

After the course students:
• acquires basic knowledge about biological characteristics, breeding and feeding technologies, production and principles of quality assessment of goats- 1 test work;
• are able to evaluate and choose the technologies suitable for the particular species and age groups, to fill in the basic documentation, to evaluate the quality indices of products - practical and independent works;
• are competent to evaluate the suitability of goats breeds for the chosen production direction and the adequacy of the applied husbandry technologies, to advise the farmers on the issues of husbandry and feeding of goats, as well as to perform breeding work in herds - practical and independent works.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Goat farming in Latvia and in the World.The economic importance of goat farming. (2h L)
2. Types of goat production. Identification of goats, documentation. (2h L)
3. History of the origins and development of domestic goats. (2h L)
4. Goat breeds. Structure of goat herds. (4h L)
5. Goat exterior and evaluation. (2h L; 2h pr.w.)
6. Selection. Reproduction planning. (2h L)
7. Goat breeding techniques. (2h pr.w.)
8. Husbandry and care of goats. Legislation in goat husbandry. (2h pr.w.)
9. Goat’s barns. (2h pr.w.)
10. Farrowing of goats. (2h L)
11. Feeding of goats and kids. (2h L; 2h pr.w.)
12. Calculation of feed nutrients requirements, optimization of feed ration. (2h pr.w.)
13. Goat milk and dairy products. (2h L)
14. Milk monitoring. (4h pr.w.)
15. Milk quality analysis. (2h pr.w.)
16. Scientific investigation in goat husbandry. Test work. (2h pr.w.)
Part-time extramural studies:
All the topics intended for full-time studies are covered, yet the number of contact hours is ½ of the specified number of hours.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Regular attendance of lectures and practical works. Successfully completed and defended practical tasks, presentations and tests, passed final exam.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

During practical work students receive individual tasks that must be fulfilled and defended. There are 2 independent works that need to be presented, and 1 independent work that needs to be submitted.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

2 presentations of independent work (40%) and a test work (60%), which makes a cumulative assessment.
The student can receive the accumulative exam assessment if the individual evaluations are not below 7 points.

Compulsory reading

1. Piliena K., Sprūžs J. Kazkopība. Talsi, 2007, 99 lpp.
2. Siliņa A., Arbidāns D., Jonkus D., Keidāne D., Piliena K. Kazkopības rokasgrāmata. 2015. Elektroniski pieejams www.laukutikls.lv/sites/laukutikls.lv/files/informativie_materiali/
3. Solaman S.G. Goat Science and Production. 2010. [Online]. Available: https://archive.org/details/GoatScienceAndProductionHandbook

Further reading

1. Lopbarības analīžu rezultātu apkopojums. e-resurss http://www.laukutikls.lv/sites/laukutikls.lv/files/upload/piena_rokasgramata
2. Osītis U. Dzīvnieku ēdināšana kompleksā skatījumā. Ozolnieki. LLKC. 2004. 363 lpp.
3. Latvietis J. Lopbarība. Jelgava. 2013. 308 lpp.
4. Ciltsdarba programma Latvijā audzētām piena šķirņu kazām 2016 – 2025. gadam. Elektroniski pieejams https://latkaza.lv/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Piena-kazas_ciltsdarba-programma_2017_2025.pdf
5. Ciltsdarba programma Būru šķirnes kazām 2016 – 2025. gadam. Elektroniski pieejams: https://latkaza.lv/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Buru-kazu-cildsdarba_programma_2017_2025.pdf
6. Goat Farming technical manual. [Online]. Available: https://www.jica.go.jp/nepal/english/office/others/c8h0vm0000bjww96-att/tm_7.pdf

Periodicals and other sources

1. Agrotops. AgroTops. Rīga: Aģentūra Agro apgāds. ISSN 1407 – 5164
2. Saimnieks. Saimnieks LV. Rīga: TEE BIO, 2004- ISSN 1691 – 1598
3. Agro Pols: informatīvs lauku politikas biļetens - aktīvam lauku saimniekam. Rīga: Latvijas Valsts agrārās ekonomikas institūts. ISSN 1407-8996.
4. Latvijas Lopkopis. LLKC, Ozolnieki, Apgāds.
5. Small Ruminant Research. Available electronically: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/small-ruminant-research

Notes

Compulsory course for full-time and part-time studies at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food technology in Professional Higher Education Bachelor's study program "Agriculture" qualification "Zootechnics".