69931 - Cattle and Sheep Production

Learning outcomes

Students will acquire basic knowledge on farming systems and their evaluation with particular regard to bovines and ovines. At the end of the course, students are expected toknow morpho-functional aspects of the main dairy, beef and ovine breeds, farming technologies and their relationship with products quality.

Course contents

The teaching of CATTLE AND SHEEP PRODUCTION is part of the Integrated Course of ANIMAL PRODUCTIONS II.

The Integrated Course aims to provide the student with:

- knowledge relating to pigs and polygastrics (cattle and sheep-goats) rearing technologies with reference to the profitability and the implications on the quality of production, animal welfare and environmental protection.

The Integrated Course is divided into 3 courses:

- Pig Production (theoretical lessons and practical activities held by Prof. Luca Sardi and Eleonora Nannoni)

- Cattle and Sheep Production (theoretical lessons and practical activities held by Prof. Martelli)

- Animal welfare and product quality (theoretical lessons and practical activities held by Prof. Giovanna Martelli and Prof. Eleonora Nannoni)

The course aims to provide advanced notions and, above all, of a practical nature relating to the rearing technologies of the species in question and their impact on animal welfare and product quality.

At the beginning of the course, detailed information will be provided on the internal organization of the theoretical and practical lesson timetable, the structure of the exam and the relative verbalization.

COURSE OF CATTLE AND SHEEP PRODUCTION

Cattle Farming: Milk Production

• Identification and zootechnical value of the main dairy breeds. 

• Calf care and weaning. Heifer rearing. 

• Housing systems for different livestock categories. 

• The high-producing dairy cow: overview of the production cycle. 

• Mechanical milking. 

Cattle Farming: Meat Production

• Identification and zootechnical value of the main beef breeds. 2 HOURS

• Assessment of meat production aptitude: parameters and evaluation methods in vivo and at slaughter. 

• White veal production techniques. 

• Fattened cattle production techniques: main farming and feeding systems and their impact on meat quantity and quality. 

Fundamentals of Sheep Farming
Breeds, production purposes, farming technologies.

Practical activities, also conducted at the AUB farm, will focus on breed identification, farming technologies, and the presentation and discussion of demonstrative videos illustrating various production systems. 

The Syllabus of the course unit and the list of EAEVE Day One Competences that the course unit contributes to achieving can be viewed on the dedicated page [http://corsi.unibo.it/singlecycle/VeterinaryMedicine/course-units-syllabi-and-day-one-competences].

 

Readings/Bibliography

1) Slides and relevant literature available in the Teacher's university web site

2) Sandrucci A., Trevisi E. (2022). Produzioni Animali. EdiSES (NA). (Copies of this book are available at the Department library )

Teaching methods

Teams platform, Lectures and in-farm activities.

Considering the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, the frequency of this training activity requires all students to carry out Modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode and participate in Module 3 of specific training on safety and health in study places. Information on dates and attendance methods for Module 3 can be consulted in the specific section of the degree program website.

Assessment methods

At the end of the integrated course, a student assessment is scheduled in the form of an oral exam lasting approximately 45 minutes, during which 4–5 questions will be asked. The interview is intended to assess the acquisition of specific knowledge and includes both general questions (e.g., general characteristics of a type of farming system for meat or milk production) and specific (e.g., calf rearing criteria). In evaluating the student, in addition to the level of subject knowledge, consideration is given to presentation skills (language accuracy, knowledge of technical terminology) and the ability to make connections (cross-cutting understanding of concepts across different animal species and farming conditions). During the oral exam, the student must also provide evidence of active participation in the various practical activities.

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

The exam is considered passed only if all parts are successfully completed. The final grade is determined by the weighed average of the grades from the various parts of the exam, 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 Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ) by the designated course contact within 5 working days of the exam.

Students may reject the final grade for at least once by informing the course examiner via email within 5 working days.

The designated course contact for this course is Prof. Luca Sardi.

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 learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Teams platform, PC slides, internet, laboratories, in-farm 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 Giovanna Martelli