69877 - Large Animals Feeding

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will have mastered food preservation and use techniques. They will be able to estimate food requirements and formulate rations. They will understand the connections between nutrition and the quality of animal-based foods, and the consequences of nutritional deficiencies and dietary errors on the health and performance of livestock.

Course contents

The Livestock Feeding course is part of the ANIMAL NUTRITION AND FEEDING program. The objective of the Integrated Course is to provide students with knowledge of the nutrition and feeding of livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, and pigs) and pets (dogs, cats, and horses). Students will understand the energy and nutritional requirements of different animal species and the foods that can be used to meet them. The interactions between nutrients, digestive and metabolic processes, production performance, and environmental impact will be addressed. Students will learn to formulate rations to support livestock production in terms of quantity and quality, as well as the welfare of all animal species. The regulations regarding feed, as well as the characteristics, technological and conservation treatments, and potential contamination of raw materials, will also be covered. The Integrated Course is divided into 4 modules: - Animal Nutrition (theoretical lectures and practical activities taught by Professor Andrea Formigoni and Dr. Ludovica Mammi) - Livestock Nutrition (theoretical lectures and practical activities taught by Professor Andrea Formigoni and Dr. Ludovica Mammi) - Pet Nutrition (theoretical lectures taught by Professor Giacomo Biagi and practical activities taught by a contract instructor) - Feed Techniques (theoretical lectures and practical activities taught by Dr. Damiano Cavallini) At the beginning of the course, detailed information will be provided regarding the internal organization of the theoretical and practical lecture schedule, the exam procedures, and the related reporting.

Specifically, the Livestock Nutrition course will cover the following topics:

- The principles of animal rationing (2 hours).

- Feeds preservation methods (3 hours).

- Nutrition and feeding  of calves, heifers, dry cows, and lactating cows (8 hours).

- Nutrition and feeding of beef steers (3 hours).

- Sheep nutrition and feeding (2 hours).

- Buffalo nutrition and feeding (2 hours).

- Nutrition and feeding of Sow, piglets, growing and fattening pigs (4 hours).

- Additives in animal feeding (1 hour).

- The role of feeding on the quality and safety of food for the consumer (1 hour).

- Precision feeding as a means of reducing the environmental impact of livestock farming (2 hours).

The course includes 32 hours of practical work and exercises. The course syllabus and the list of One Day Competencies indicated by EAEVE that it contributes to are available on the dedicated page: http://corsi.unibo.it/singlecycle/VeterinaryMedicine/course-units-syllabi-and-day-one-competences

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended reading materials: Ronchi, Savoini, Trabalza Marinucci. Manual of Nutrition for Dairy Ruminants. Edises University. 2020. Antongiovanni M. and Gualtieri M.: Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Edagricole McDonald-Edwards Greenhalgh: Animal Nutrition, New Techniques. Reference texts for specialized study INRA Feeding System for Ruminants. INRA. Wageningen Academic Publisher. 2018. Alimentation des bovins, ovins & caprins. INRA. Pulina G., L'alimentazione degli ovini da latte. Avenue media. Bologna Mordenti et al., Manual of Swine Nutrition. Edagricole. Miraglia N., Catalano A.L., Practical Nutrition for the Sport Horse. Polyglot Press, Milan. Hand, Thatcher, Remillard, Roudebush: Small Animal Clinical Nutrition. Walsworth Publishing Company, USA. NRC: Nutrient Requirements of 1) Dairy Cattle; 2) Swine; 3) Horses; 4) Beef; 5) Sheep

Teaching methods

Lectures and practical exercises with individual and group work. Students with special needs are encouraged to contact the instructor by email to best organize teaching and exam procedures.

Assessment methods

The final exam covers the entire integrated course (Animal Nutrition and Feeding) and consists of a practical component and a written test: 1. The exam initially includes a computer-based rationing test (lasting 40 minutes) consisting of formulating a diet for livestock or pets using dedicated software. In this context, the student is asked to address a practical case study regarding a feeding issue: these may concern issues related to livestock productivity as well as specific clinical conditions of livestock and pets. 2. The written test (lasting 30 minutes) includes 54 multiple-choice questions as well as the identification and description of a food of animal interest (10 minutes available to the student). The 54 questions will be distributed according to the 10 credits of the integrated course. Students will be admitted to the written test only after passing the rationing test. Up to 27 points will be awarded based on the answers given to the 54 questions (0.5 points for each correct answer; there is no penalty for an incorrect answer), up to 3 points based on the computer-based rationing test, and up to 3 points for the food identification test. The exam is passed with a minimum score of 18/30. A failing grade will not result in a grade being awarded, but only a grade (withdrawn or rejected) reported on the electronic report compiled on Alma Esami (https://virtuale.unibo.it); this grade does not affect the student's academic career. Students may refuse the grade within 5 days of the exam date, and the recording instructor will publish the results within 5 working days, also communicating them via email to those concerned. The recording instructor is Professor Andrea Formigoni. Students can register for exams through AlmaEsami (http://almaesami.unibo.it). Exams are offered within the timeframes listed in the academic calendar. Additional exams may be scheduled for students who are behind schedule. Students with learning disabilities or disabilities may be able to take advantage of any special needs exams.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be conducted with the aid of PowerPoint presentations, available online. Exercises will be conducted using the "rationare" program provided at the beginning of the course and include rationing exercises.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Formigoni