C7844 - PRINCIPI DI SOSTENIBILITÀ E BENESSERE ANIMALE IN ZOOTECNIA

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will understand the relationship between environmental sustainability measures and the welfare of farm animals. The environmental impact of different farming technologies for monogastric and ruminant animals will be described in terms of climate-altering gases and ecosystems in general, as well as the principles underlying animal welfare assessment. They will be able to evaluate the main sources of climate-altering gas emissions in the livestock sector and propose possible interventions aimed at improving the conditions of farm animals. The basic principles of Life Cycle Assessment and related inventories will be introduced, and the main units of measurement and methodologies for calculating the environmental impact of livestock systems will be described. Field assessment systems for animal welfare and the main technologies used in Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) will also be introduced. 

Course contents

Main methods for assessing the environmental impact of livestock farms. Water footprint and Life Cycle Assessment. Excretion of macro and micronutrients. Overview of strategies for mitigating and transforming livestock waste. Adaptation of livestock to climate change. Principles of animal welfare assessment. Effect of farming conditions on animal welfare and classification systems. Introduction to precision devices for animal husbandry available on the market. Assessment of their effectiveness in farm practices.

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching material consists of the material presented in class and made available to students on the dedicated VIRTUAL website and the following recommended textbook:

Produzioni animali. Ed. A. Sandrucci, E. Trevisi. EDISES Università, Napoli, 2022.

Capitolo 15 Sostenibilità ambientale della produzione del latte

Capitolo 30 Sostenibilità ambientale della produzione della carne bovina

Capitolo 39 Sostenibilità ambientale della produzione di carne suina

Teaching methods

The course will consist of 28 hours of lectures, supported by images and videos, with the aim of providing students with a series of basic information that will enable them to evaluate the main aspects of the environmental impact of animal husbandry and PLF. The remaining hours will be used for study visits and seminars held by specialists in the field.

Assessment methods

The assessment is based on two questions concerning environmental impact and a PowerPoint presentation in Italian (12-13 slides) describing a precision technique for a species of your choice, outlining its positive and negative aspects.

Learning will be assessed as follows
a very thorough knowledge of the topics covered in the course, together with high levels of critical analysis, linking skills and mastery of specific terminology will be assessed with the maximum mark (30-30L);
a thorough knowledge of the topics addressed in the course, together with good analytical and critical skills and a secure command of the specific terminology will be assessed with good marks (27-29);
a technically adequate preparation and sufficient capacity for analysis, even if not particularly articulate, expressed in correct language, will produce fair marks (23-26);
sufficient preparation and sufficient ability to analyse, expressed in barely formally correct language, will result in sufficient marks (18-22).

The presence of serious gaps, a not suitable language, an exclusively mechanic and mnemonical limited knowledge of the arguments with the lack of the specific level of knowledge will determine a non positive evaluation. The student may not accept the negative vote and asks to repeat the exam in a future date.

Teaching tools

PC, projector of images, thermocamera

Office hours

See the website of Leonardo Nanni Costa