Print Syllabus

Syllabus

HV0158 Ruminant production, 15.0 Credits

Animalieproduktion – Idisslare

Subjects

Agricultural Science Animal Science Animal science Agricultural science

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Dairy cows	8.0	0302
Beef cattle, sheep and reindeer	7.0	0303

Advanced study in the main field

First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Bachelor’s level (G2F)

Grading scale

Language

Swedish

Prior knowledge

.

Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide the student with in-depth knowledge of production systems with ruminants, mainly based on conditions in Sweden. The student practices solving problems and formulating recommendations for feeding, breeding and management of ruminants in various production systems.

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• explain the importance of ruminants for agriculture and the surrounding society as well as trends for future production and animal husbandry with the main focus on Sweden, but with a global outlook,

• analyze production systems with ruminants in terms of efficiency, profitability factors, reproduction, animal health and animal welfare,

• formulate feeding and management recommendations for ruminants based on the requirements of the animals, available feed and economic conditions,

• describe and discuss opportunities for genetic progress in traits that are important for the production, reproduction and health of ruminants,

• describe the design of breeding programs in milk and meat production and compare these between different animal species,

• give an overview of measures for preventive health care and infection control and routines in animal management to promote animal health and animal welfare,

• give an overview of factors that affect the quality properties of the end products,

• report the most common housing systems, herd dynamics and technical solutions that exist in different production systems for ruminants,

• know which stakeholders in the industry and in society that affects the conditions for ruminant production,

• overview of the long-term sustainability of production systems and give examples of measures for improvement.

Content

The course is about the production of milk and meat as well as other products and services from ruminants, with emphasis on long-term sustainability in the production system as well as efficiency, animal health, animal welfare, fertility, housing, technology, economy and effects on the environment. The course deals with production systems with ruminants in Sweden in relation to other countries. The course deals with animal species in relation to the importance of production in industry and the national economy. This means that the emphasis will be on the production of meat and milk from cattle. However, the course also concerns production with other ruminants that occur in Sweden, mainly reindeer and sheep. The course includes lectures, exercises, student-activating teaching and study trips.

Mandatory tasks occur, for example, exercises, case studies, seminars, group work and study visits.

In the course, the student practices the following general skills: oral and written presentation, problem solving with reality-based cases that reflect the real complexity at farm level, and optimization.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Passed written and oral examination. Passed participation in compulsory course modules.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
• For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

Costs for study visits may apply.

Responsible department

Department of Animal Nutrition and Management