91170 - Approaches to Precision Livestock Farming

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will reach a good level of knowledge of the main behaviors, physiology and pathological symptoms in production animals (ruminants, small ruminants, horses, and pigs). The student will be able to apply this knowledge to obtain an in-depth understanding of the monitoring system named precision livestock system (LPF) applied to the direct management of animals both from the point of reproductive and food production. In particular, the student is able to: - understand the principles on which LPF is based, be able to understand critically, interpreting the data generated by the various monitoring systems on the market, and propose solutions to the farmer in case of warnings for the health and welfare of animals reported by the monitoring system.

Course contents

Introduction to behavior and its evaluation. Feeding, sexual, maternal, locomotor behavior in ruminants, small ruminants, horses, pigs . Main changes in behavior and clinical symptoms caused by the main technopathies affecting production animals. Pain assessment. Introduction to real time monitoring systems on the market. Problem based learning with cases in which there are warning signals from the monitoring system.

Readings/Bibliography

Houpt, KA. Domestic animal behaviour for veterinarians and animal scientists.

Ebook available at https://sol.unibo.it/SebinaOpac/resource/domestic-animal-behavior-for-veterinarians-and-animal-scientists/UBO6524312

Lecture notes and other selected reading available on IOL

Teaching methods

The course will include 20 hours of lectures, supported by images and videos, with the aim of providing the student with a series of basic information that will allow them to evaluate the main aspects of PLF. This will be followed by 8 hours of tutorials, seminars held by sector specialists and practical activities.

Assessment methods

The evaluation is based on a middle term multiple choice quiz (30%) and on the writing and discussion of a critical review (70%) in Italian or English entitled " Performance of... (chose a PLF tool): comparison among different species "(max 5000 words including bibliography, at least 10 items bibliographic), delivered within 7 days before the appeal date exclusively to the following site:

https://www.compilatio.net/depositare/uap8t

The file must be named with the student's surname and matriculation. The reviews are checked using the Compilatio plagiarism software in use at the University of Bologna. If the similarity index of the text exceeds 10%, the paper is rejected, it must be rewritten and presented in the next exam. If the evaluation is positive, a written copy of the review must be delivered during the examination, which ends with two short questions on topics reported in the review and in the teaching material.

Teaching tools

pc

Office hours

See the website of Barbara Padalino