B9003 - GESTIONE SOSTENIBILE DELL'ALLEVAMENTO DEI RUMINANTI E DEI MONOGASTRICI

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will:

• have acquired knowledge of the theoretical principles underlying the three pillars of sustainability;
• have gained knowledge of innovative tools and management strategies for pig and ruminant farming, and understand how these can improve the sustainability of livestock production systems and primary production;
• be able to identify weaknesses and critical issues within livestock production systems and propose management strategies for both animals and livestock manure aimed at improving the environmental sustainability of farms, while enhancing animal health, welfare, productive and reproductive performance in pigs and ruminants, and safeguarding the quality of both primary production and final products;
• have acquired knowledge of the main methodologies and tools used to assess environmental impacts through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and be able to critically interpret and evaluate the results of such analyses.

The course is part of an integrated course, whose overall educational objectives can be summarized as follows:

The integrated course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to understand and apply strategies for improving the sustainability of cattle, pig, sheep and goat, poultry, rabbit, and aquaculture production systems.

The integrated course is divided into two modules:

• Sustainable Management of Ruminant and Monogastric Livestock Systems
• Sustainable Management and Advanced Production Models in Poultry, Rabbit, and Aquaculture Supply Chains

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course "Sustainability of Livestock Production Systems."


At the end of the integrated course, students will have acquired knowledge of the main strategies for improving the sustainability of cattle, pig, sheep and goat, and poultry production systems.


SPECIFIC PREREQUISITES FOR THIS COURSE:

To facilitate a better understanding of the course contents, students are recommended to have previously acquired basic knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of livestock species.


COURSE SYLLABUS:

The course is organized into the following modules.
Lectures:

Module 1 – Introduction to the Sustainability of Livestock Production Systems (7 hours)

• Course presentation, organization of teaching activities, and assessment methods.
• Fundamental concepts of sustainability applied to animal production.
• The three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic, and social).
• Overview of the main livestock production systems and evaluation of farm inputs and outputs from a sustainability perspective.

Module 2 – Biological Basis of Animal Production and Livestock Emissions (4 hours)

• Review of the anatomy, physiology, rumen microbiology, and nutrition of ruminants.
• Relationship between digestive physiology, feed efficiency, and livestock emissions.
• Main differences between ruminant and monogastric production systems.

Module 3 – Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Livestock Production Systems (15 hours)

• Methane production and emissions in ruminants.
• The carbon cycle and the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Methods for measuring and estimating methane emissions.
• Nutritional, genetic, and management strategies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

Module 4 – Nitrogen Cycle and Environmental Quality in Livestock Farming (10 hours)

• The nitrogen cycle.
• Ammonia emissions, nitrification, and eutrophication.
• Particulate matter emissions and air quality in livestock production systems, with particular emphasis on pig farming.
• Major environmental risk factors and mitigation strategies.

Module 5 – Sustainability Assessment Methods (6 hours)

• Theoretical principles of environmental sustainability assessment.
• Water Footprint.
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
• Interpretation of environmental indicators and their application to livestock production systems.

 

Practical sessions and laboratory activities:

Module 6 – Practical Activities and Applications

• Brainstorming sessions and guided discussions on the principles of sustainability applied to livestock production (3 hours).
• Practical demonstration of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies for livestock and emission monitoring (6 hours).
• Critical analysis and discussion of scientific papers and research projects focused on the sustainability of livestock production systems (5 hours).
• Hands-on exercises on the development and interpretation of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies (4 hours).

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en).

Required readings:

Students are required to prepare for the examination using the teaching materials provided by the course instructor and any guest lecturers (e.g., lecture slides, graphs), as well as scientific articles and additional learning resources (audio and video materials) recommended throughout the course.

At the end of each topic, the lecture slides will be made available on the course's online learning platform.

Supplementary readings:

• Rout P.K., Behera B.K. Sustainability in Ruminant Livestock. Springer. ISBN: 978-981-334-343-6.
  The electronic version of this book is freely available through the University of Bologna Wi-Fi network or via the University's proxy service.
• AA.VV. Allevamento animale e sostenibilità ambientale. Edagricole – New Business Media. ISBN: 978-8891761835.

Teaching methods

The course includes both theoretical lectures and practical/laboratory sessions:

• Lectures: lectures will provide the fundamental knowledge, principles, and theoretical background related to the topics covered in the course.
• Seminars: seminars delivered by the course instructor and guest speakers will include presentations and interactive discussions, encouraging critical reflection on specific topics and scientific approaches.
• Field visits: field-based activities will enable students to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world livestock farming and animal production systems.
• Practical sessions: hands-on learning activities involving the use of open-source software for data management, processing, and analysis.
• Research-based learning: students will have the opportunity to participate in research activities, developing skills in scientific investigation, experimental approaches, and data analysis.

Considering the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance for this course requires the successful completion of Modules 1 and 2 via e-learning, and Module 3 on health and safety training in study environments. Information about the schedule and access to Module 3 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Program website.
Participation in practical and laboratory sessions requires wearing a lab coat and appropriate footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided as needed.

Assessment methods

The assessment of the Integrated Course "Sustainability of Livestock Production Systems" consists of two separate components, corresponding to the evaluation of the knowledge acquired in the following course units: "Sustainable Management of Ruminant and Monogastric Livestock Systems" and "Sustainable Management and Advanced Production Models in Poultry, Rabbit, and Aquaculture Supply Chains".


With specific reference to the assessment of the course unit "Sustainable Management of Ruminant and Monogastric Livestock Systems", student learning will be evaluated through a final oral examination conducted in Italian.

During the oral examination, students will be assessed on both their theoretical knowledge and their ability to apply it to the topics covered during the course. The evaluation will take into account the overall level of preparation, the ability to critically analyse and establish connections among the different course topics, as well as the appropriate use of technical and discipline-specific terminology. The examination will consist of at least four questions, covering the entire course syllabus.

In evaluating the oral exam, the instructor will use the following grading scale:

• Basic understanding of only a few course topics; analysis skills emerge only with the instructor’s help; generally correct language → 18–22
• Limited knowledge of several topics; independent analysis only on procedural issues; correct language use → 23–26
  
• Broad knowledge of course topics; ability to make autonomous critical judgments; mastery of discipline-specific terminology → 27–29
• Comprehensive understanding of course content; fully independent critical analysis and connections; excellent command of terminology and argumentation skills → 30–30 with honors
  
  

The result of the oral exam will be communicated at the end of the session. The minimum passing grade is 18/30.

Use of Artificial Intelligence during the examination: the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools during the oral examination is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

The oral examination lasts at least 25 minutes.

 

The exam is considered passed only if all parts are successfully completed. The final grade of the Integrated Course is determined by the weighed average of the grades from the oral examination of the two teachings, expressed out of 30. A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required.

Negative results are not graded numerically but recorded as “withdrawn” or “failed” in the electronic transcript on AlmaEsami, and do not affect the student’s academic record.
Grades for individual parts and the final grade will be published on the AlmaEsami platform (https://almaesami.unibo.it/?lang=en) within 5 working days of the date of the exam.
Students may reject the final grade, by informing the course examiner via email within 5 working days.
The designated course contact for this course isProfessor Martina Zappaterra.


Students can register for exams through the AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/). Exams are scheduled during the designated periods in the academic calendar. Additional sessions are available for students beyond the standard program duration.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) or temporary or permanent disabilities may take the examination using concept maps and/or other approved accommodations, in accordance with current legislation and University regulations. Students are encouraged to contact the University's Office for Students with Disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders well in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The Office will propose appropriate accommodations, which must be submitted to the course instructor for approval at least 15 days before the examination. The instructor will assess their suitability in relation to the intended learning outcomes of the course.

Teaching tools

The course will make use of the following teaching materials and learning resources:

• lecture slides and additional teaching materials prepared by the course instructor;
• original research articles and review papers from the scientific literature;
• seminars delivered by guest speakers and external experts;
• open-source software for data management, processing, and analysis;
• guided discussions and in-class interactive activities;
• student presentations and seminars;
• field visits to livestock farms, processing facilities, and other relevant production systems.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is permitted to support students in studying the course materials and enhancing their understanding of the topics covered.

Regular attendance is strongly recommended, as it facilitates a deeper understanding of the course content and promotes active participation in the learning activities.

In case of difficulty understanding the course content, the instructor is available for clarification meetings, which must be scheduled via email.

 

Office hours

See the website of Martina Zappaterra