SASK16004U Advanced Livestock and Equine Production Science

Volume 2018/2019
Education

MSc Programme in Animal Science - restricted elective

Content

The course is a continuation of Course SASK16002 Livestock and Equine Production Science. Production animals (defined as pigs, cattle, poultry and fur animals), also equine herds (stud farms, riding schools etc.) may be analyzed.

The students will in this course work in the same group and with the same herd as in Livestock and Equine Production Science. A thorough analysis of the options identified during the preceding course must be carried out, with a careful prioritisation that is in agreement with the farmer's preferences. Attributes of the farmer's preferences must be identified and weighted. These must be used as the basis for scientifically founded operational, tactical and strategic plans that maximize the farmer's utility within the constraints imposed on the production. The product of this work will be a report that includes these plans.

Another element of this work is an obligatory in-depth analysis of a selected problem in the herd. The following list shows examples of potential problems suitable for in-depth analysis:
- A plan for expansion of the herd
- Implementation of a new feeding method or strategy
- Procedures for dynamic monitoring of particularly sensitive areas of production
- Causes of production failure
The selected problem is chosen by the group, but the choice must be based on the analysis of the herd. In relation to this work independent data analyses, registrations and/or moddeling can be carried out.

Learning Outcome

This course aims to enable the student to devise scientifically well-founded operational, tactical and strategic plans that maximize the farmer's utility within the constraints imposed on the production. The plans must, furthermore, be communicated to the farmer.

Knowledge:
- Describe potentials and limitations of theories from ethology, physiology, nutrition, animal breeding, herd management, production economics, climate control and epidemiology in relation to a concrete animal production context.

Skills:
- Apply principles from utility theory for identification of farmer preferences (objectives) described by a list of attributes and their mutual weighting.
- Apply the relationships between factor allocation, constraints, and utility attributes for devising scientifically well-founded operational, tactical and strategic plans maximizing the farmer's utility and communicate those plans to the relevant parties. 

Competencies:
- Transfer theories and methods for combination and adjustment of production factors in animal production so that a given objective is met in the best possible way within the constraints imposed on production.
- Discuss production systems and production plans in relation to animal welfare as well as the environmental and other societal concerns.

Literature

Academic literature identification, interpretation and evaluation is a core element due to the project nature of the course.

Livestock and Equine Production Science must have been conducted in Block 3 the same year as this course.
Lectures, theoretical and practical exercises, project work in Groups (a report must be submitted) and field trips.
The course is almost completely based on project work.
The product work is carried out in the groups already formed in Course Livestock and Equine Production Science.

Even though the course language is English, students must understand that Danish farm owners are not necessarily competent in English. Most of the written material available about the farm will be in Danish.

Evaluation model: Survey-based model
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 75
  • Exam
  • 10
  • Excursions
  • 10
  • Guidance
  • 15
  • Lectures
  • 5
  • Practical exercises
  • 10
  • Preparation
  • 37
  • Project work
  • 250
  • Total
  • 412
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Oral examination, 35 minutes
A project report must be submitted. Oral presentation and defence of the project report handed in.
Weight: Oral examination 75 %; Project report 25 %.
Exam registration requirements

A project report must be submitted.

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Internal censorship. More than one examiner.
Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge:

At the oral exam:
- Describe potentials and limitations of theories from ethology, physiology, nutrition, animal breeding, herd management, production economics, climate control and epidemiology in relation to a concrete animal production context.
 

Skills:

In the project report:
- Apply principles from utility theory for identification of farmer preferences (objectives) described by a list of attributes and their mutual weighting.
- Apply the relationships between factor allocation, constraints, and utility attributes for devising scientifically well-founded operational, tactical and strategic plans maximizing the farmer's utility and communicate those plans to the relevant parties.
 

Competencies:

- Discuss production systems and production plans in relation to animal welfare as well as the environmental and other societal concerns.