Learning objectives
1- Knowledge and understanding: To know general and special notions concerning production and reproduction cycles and breeding techniques of animal species used for milk production intended for human consumption. To understand the integration and interdependence between animal physiology and animal breeding and exploitation techniques. To know and understand the tools for assessing the efficiency/profitability of livestock farming systems. 2- Applying knowledge and understanding: To be able to recognize, within each species of interest, the different categories of animals. To be able to describe the general characteristics of the livestock farms and the structures. To be able to interpret and evaluate data on productivity and milk quality related to animal and herd factors. 3- Making judgments: To know how to analyze the different phases of the productive/reproductive cycle of livestock used for milk production, highlighting the critical issues and proposing any corrective action. 4- Communication skills: To know how to communicate clearly to less experienced and less acclaimed interviewees the correct techniques and operating methods to be implemented in the farms. Being able to interact positively with the various professional figures working in the farms. 5- Learning skills: To be able to adapt its own indications to the different production contexts and to the different managerial levels that can be found at farms. To be able to properly interpret the results of scientific research on dairy science.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The contents of the course are represented by the description of the productive and reproductive cycles of animal species used for the production of milk intended for human consumption. The most important traits for monitoring the efficiency/profitability and milk quality at herd level will be illustrated. The factors at the herd level that significantly impact milk quality will also be identified.
Full programme
1 – Dairy cows
- Organization of the dairy cattle production sector and market of milk
- Dairy cattle breeds in Italy
- Dairy cattle farms
- Productive traits in dairy cattle breeding
- Welfare of dairy cattle
- Milk quality at herd level
2 – Sheep and goats
- Organization of the productive sector and the sheep and goat products market
- Sheep and goat breeds used for milk production in Italy
- Organization of sheep and goats livestock and breeding types
- Welfare of sheep and goats
- Sheep and goat milk quality at herd level
3 – Buffaloes
- Organization of the dairy buffalo production sector
- The Italian Mediterranean buffalo
- Organization of buffalo livestock and breeding types
- Production and reproduction in buffaloes
- Buffalo milk quality at herd level
Bibliography
BITTANTE G, ANDRIGHETTO L, RAMANZIN M
Tecniche di produzione animale. Liviana Ed., Torino, 2003.
SANDRUCCI A, TREVISI E, ET AL.
Produzioni Animali, Edises, 2022
Students can find the pdf of lessons on the Elly (https://elly2023.veterinaria.unipr.it/) platform or get them during the class.
Teaching methods
The teaching activities will be conducted mainly in the form of lessons and seminars. The power point presentations used to support the lessons will be uploaded during the course on the Elly platform and can be downloaded by students regularly enrolled in the course. Power point presentations are considered an integral part of the didactic material. Any changes made to the presentations will be promptly reported by the lecturer during the lessons.
Assessment methods and criteria
Learning evaluation consists of two subsequent tests: written multiple-choice questions test and 1 open-ended questions test.
Mode and type of multiple-choice questions test: written, maximum duration of 12 minutes, consisting of no. 20 questions. Mode and type of open-ended questions test: maximum duration of 15 minutes, consisting of no. 2 questions.
During the learning evaluation, the knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and applied themes, the ability to analyze hypothetical cases the communication skill and the ability to interpret scientific results will be verified.
Scale of assessment: the scale of assessment ranges from 0 to 30 cum laude.
Weights and evaluation criteria: for the multiple-choice questions test, the weight attributed to each correct answer is one point (1) and each wrong answer results in a penalty of -0.22 points. When the question is not answered, it gives 0 points. For the open-ended questions test, each correct answer gives up to 6.5 point (0-6.5). Unanswered or wrong answers give 0 points.
Test results communication: the final result of the entire test is communicated immediately at the end of correction of the open-ended questions test.
For the students with diagnosis of specific learning disability (DSA) certified under law n. 170/2010, proper specific support will be provided.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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