SASK16004U Advanced Livestock and Equine Production Science
MSc Programme in Animal Science - restricted elective
The course is a continuation of Course SASK16002 Livestock and Equine Production Science. Production animals (defined as pigs, cattle and poultry), 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.
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.
Academic literature identification, interpretation and evaluation is a core element due to the project nature of the course.
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
- Lectures
- 5
- Class Instruction
- 75
- Preparation
- 37
- Practical exercises
- 10
- Excursions
- 10
- Project work
- 250
- Guidance
- 15
- Exam
- 10
- Total
- 412
Open for credit transfer students and other external students. Apply here:
Credit transfer students:
Credit transfer student at SUND – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
Other external students:
https://healthsciences.ku.dk/education/student-mobility/guest-students/
- Credit
- 15 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written assignmentOral examination, 35 minutes
- Type of assessment details
- A project report must be submitted. Oral presentation and
defence of the project report handed in.
Weight: Oral examination 75 %; Project report 25 %.
Project report must be submittted.
Students in the same group cannot participate in their fellow student’s individual oral exam unless they have already had their own individual oral exam. - 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.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- SASK16004U
- Credit
- 15 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
There is no teaching in Block week 8 of the course
- Placement
- Block 4
- Schedule
- B And CWeek Structure B:
Week Structure C:
During the first 1-2 weeks of the course a few activities (for instance field trips) may be organized during hours other than those of Modules B and C. - Course capacity
- 30 students.
Study board
- The Study Board for Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science
Contracting department
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Course Coordinators
- Anni Øyan Pedersen
(anni.oeyan@sund.ku.dk)
Pig Track - Luiz Gustavo Ribeiro Pereira
(luiz.pereira@sund.ku.dk)
Cattle track - Leonardo Victor de Knegt (lvdk@sund.ku.dk)
Overall course responsibility
Lecturers
Bjarne Schmidt Bjerg