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Sheep breeding

Course developer

Prior knowledge

Vete2023, Animal Anatomy and Physiology

Course abstract

Completing the course will give the possibility to assess the sheep farming situation in Latvian and in other European countries, it will be possible to understand the feeding and housing requirements of sheep, 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 studying the course, students:
• acquires basic knowledge about the biological characteristics of sheep, breeding and feeding technologies, production and its quality assessment principles - 2 tests on sheep breeding issues;
• knows how to evaluate and choose appropriate keeping technologies for animals of a specific species and age group, fill in the necessary basic documentation, evaluate the parameters characterizing the quality of production - practical and individual work;
• is competent to assess the suitability of sheep breeds for the chosen direction of production, the appropriateness of the used keeping technologies, to advise on issues of keeping and feeding sheep, as well as to perform breeding work in sheep flocks - practical and individual work.

Course Content(Calendar)

1 Description of the situation and economic importance of sheep breeding. Register of sheep flocks, preparation of necessary documents (6 h.).
2 Origin and biological characteristics of sheep. Sheep breeds, their classification and use. Importance of monitoring data in sheep production (6 h).
3 Sheep breeding methods. The selection principles of sheep. Principles of evaluation of sheep of different ages. (4 h).
4 Sheep breeding. Breeding programmes in sheep breeding. Selection work documentation (6 h).
1st test. Economic importance of sheep breeding, biological characteristics, application of breeding methods in breeding.
5 Sheep production. Structure, composition and properties of wool hair. The composition of sheep's milk, its value and use. Factors affecting milk and wool production. Determination of wool quality (4 h).
6 Mutton and lamb meat. Classification of carcasses, quality characteristics, factors affecting them. Chemical composition and value of sheep and lamb meat. Planning the production and sale of sheep products (6 h).
7 Sheep breeding technology. Flock formation and its structure. Characteristics of the formation of different groups of sheep. Reasons for mating animals. Establishment of a circulation plan for a flock of sheep (6 h).
8 Sheep feeding in summer and winter. Feeding the lambs. Formulation of summer and winter rations for sheep according to different physiological conditions, age and sex (6 h). 2nd test. Basic principles of feeding and keeping sheep.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Regular attendance at lectures and practical work. Successfully completed and defended practical work assignments and successful completion of the control works.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

For the course material planed 1 individual work, preparation of a presentation for each student.
During practical activities, students individually complete and submit practical work in print way and/or electronic form in e-studies.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

During the course, each student's individually prepared presentation is defended public. The evaluation process involves the participation of course mates, whose evaluation is taken into account in the assessment of the individual work.
The examination grade is made up of the theoretical part (50%), the individual presentation (20%) and the practical work (30%).

Compulsory reading

• Norvele G., Neilands, J., Matisāns E. (2001). Aitkopība. LLU Ulbrokas zinātnes centrs, 303 lpp.
• Norvele G., Kairiša D. (2011). Rokasgrāmata aitu audzētājiem. Pieejams: http://new.llkc.lv/lv/nozares/lopkopiba/elektroniski-pieejama-rokasgramata-aitu-audzetajiem

Further reading

• Lopbarības analīžu rezultātu apkopojums. Pieejams: http://www.laukutikls.lv/sites/laukutikls.lv/files/upload/piena_rokasgramata/54_lopbariba_internetam.pdf
• Osītis U. (2004). Dzīvnieku ēdināšana kompleksā skatījumā. Ozolnieki, - 363 lpp.
• Latvietis J. (2013). Lopbarība. Jelgava, 308 lpp.
• Ciltsdarba programmas aitu šķirnēm Latvijā. Pieejams: https://www.ldc.gov.lv/lv/nacionala

Periodicals and other sources

• Lauku Avīze, & Latvijas Mediji. Agro Tops: žurnāls Katram Zemniekam Un Lauku Uzņēmējam. Pieejams: https://dom.lndb.lv/data/obj/860413.html
• Saimnieks. Saimnieks LV. Rīga: TEE BIO, 2004- ISSN 1691 – 1598. Pieejams: https://saimnieks.lv/
• Latvijas Lopkopis. Latvijas Lauku konsultāciju un izglītības centrs. Pieejams: http://primolatvija.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/gbln8n/371KISC_AlephLNC04-000790924

Notes

Compulsory course for full-time and part-time studies at the Faculty of Agriculture in Professional Higher Education Bachelor's study program "Agriculture" qualification "Zootechnics", 5th semester.