Breeds and Products of Livestock Species
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course provides the knowledge of animal products and livestock breeds pinpointing to genomics methods available for their characterization and valorization
Expected learning outcomes
Students will be able to understand the concept of biological diversity of animal breeds and of their products and to evaluate how autochthonous genetic resources can represent a valuable resource for the valorization of territories, local breeds and their products.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Lectures will be held on the Microsoft Teams platform, even for those provided in person, and can be followed both in synchronous on the basis of the first scheduled lectures and in asynchronous because they will be recorded and left available to students on the same platform. Exams, if it is not possible to attend the classroom, will be performed orally through the Microsoft Teams platform.
Course syllabus
Species and animal breeds are the result of hundreds of years of breeding activity in a wide variety of environmental conditions.
Farming of native breeds in areas not suited for intensive farming (hill mountain) allows an important interaction with the territory management, conservation of biodiversity and valorization of sustainable farming. The variability of autochthonous breeds (i.e. animal genetic resources) is an important value for the enhancement of products of animal origin.
The processing techniques of products of animal origin are an excellence of Italy, recognized in the world. This makes available to the consumer food labelled as "protected origin" (PDO mark).
The course will provide students with the basic tools for analyzing the genetic diversity of animal populations and relating it to the one of their products.
1. Frontal teaching
a) Introduction - Dissemination of animal genetic resources. Cosmopolitan and local breeds and populations.
b) Autochthonous breeds and non intensive farming (mountain farming)
c) Molecular data for the characterization of breeds and products of animal origin: structural variability of DNA (e.g. microsatellites, RFLP, SNP, genomic sequences)
d) Data analysis tools publicly available for the genetic characterization of the breeds
e) Similarity and divergence of species and breeds of zootechnical interest: genetic distances
f) Traceability of products, identification of species, breed and individual animal.
2. Practice
a) Practical session are envisaged (2/3 sessions) on farms and local food processing plants. One session envisage overnight stay at the guesthouse of the goat farm of the University of Milan in Borgo Adorno.
b) Browsing of national and European product databases.
c) Case studies on breeds and products of animal origin - Research information on products of animal origin and their link with breeds and territory. Visit to production farms and processors.
Farming of native breeds in areas not suited for intensive farming (hill mountain) allows an important interaction with the territory management, conservation of biodiversity and valorization of sustainable farming. The variability of autochthonous breeds (i.e. animal genetic resources) is an important value for the enhancement of products of animal origin.
The processing techniques of products of animal origin are an excellence of Italy, recognized in the world. This makes available to the consumer food labelled as "protected origin" (PDO mark).
The course will provide students with the basic tools for analyzing the genetic diversity of animal populations and relating it to the one of their products.
1. Frontal teaching
a) Introduction - Dissemination of animal genetic resources. Cosmopolitan and local breeds and populations.
b) Autochthonous breeds and non intensive farming (mountain farming)
c) Molecular data for the characterization of breeds and products of animal origin: structural variability of DNA (e.g. microsatellites, RFLP, SNP, genomic sequences)
d) Data analysis tools publicly available for the genetic characterization of the breeds
e) Similarity and divergence of species and breeds of zootechnical interest: genetic distances
f) Traceability of products, identification of species, breed and individual animal.
2. Practice
a) Practical session are envisaged (2/3 sessions) on farms and local food processing plants. One session envisage overnight stay at the guesthouse of the goat farm of the University of Milan in Borgo Adorno.
b) Browsing of national and European product databases.
c) Case studies on breeds and products of animal origin - Research information on products of animal origin and their link with breeds and territory. Visit to production farms and processors.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites
Teaching methods
Lectures and practical sessions with visits to production farms and processors. A practical session on farms of 3 days is envisaged.
Teaching Resources
Slides of the lessons together with specific articles will be made available on the ARIEL-UNIMI website of the course, during its development.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be an oral interview based on the work developed during practice sessions by the candidate on an animal product of her/his choice.
AGR/17 - LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS, ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS - University credits: 3
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Professor:
Strillacci Maria Giuseppina
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)