Precision Dairy Farming
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The laboratory aims to offer to the student the opportunity to understand the current challenges of precision livestock farming using tools and sensors that are used in research and in the commercial field to monitor the conditions of animals and their performances as well as the efficiency and adequacy of the systems and structures that come into contact with them. The topic will be addressed as a research project, starting from a theoretical study of a problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting, processing and interpreting measured data.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will learn about the main indicators and tools to monitor and study the main aspects related to dairy farming: milk production and quality, well-being and behavior, health, farming environment, efficiency of plant and equipment operation. He/she will acquire the ability to process, integrate and interpret output data from sensors, instruments and other sources, also developing simple forecasting models for decision support. The activities will favor the development of soft skills such as team working, leadership, autonomy, problem solving, communication skills.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
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
Course syllabus
The laboratory will focus on a topic of Precision Livestock Farming that will change from year to year. Among the topics that will be proposed there are:
1) Milking efficiency and udder health
2) Welfare, behavior, health and reproductive efficiency of dairy cows
3) Monitoring of environmental, behavioral and physiological indicators for assessing the health and welfare of dairy calves
1) Milking efficiency and udder health
2) Welfare, behavior, health and reproductive efficiency of dairy cows
3) Monitoring of environmental, behavioral and physiological indicators for assessing the health and welfare of dairy calves
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the husbandry techniques of the main livestock species
Teaching methods
The laboratory will be divided into:
Lectures for the introduction to the topics and to the safety rules in the barn. Lecture about the preparation of the report and presentation with communication bases.
Practical sessions in the stable about the use of tools, sensors and protocols and for the collection of experimental data.
Theoretical studies i carried out by the students under the guidance of the teachers: indicators and their meaning (physiological, productive, etc.); information provided by currently available instruments and sensors; opportunities provided by the integration of data from different sources.
Classroom activities for processing the collected data: data analysis, interpretation, development of simple forecasting models for decision support.
Before the lab, enrolled students will be provided with bibliographic material for in-depth study of the issues on which the project will focus.
At the end of the workshop the students will prepare a report and a presentation of the results.
Lectures for the introduction to the topics and to the safety rules in the barn. Lecture about the preparation of the report and presentation with communication bases.
Practical sessions in the stable about the use of tools, sensors and protocols and for the collection of experimental data.
Theoretical studies i carried out by the students under the guidance of the teachers: indicators and their meaning (physiological, productive, etc.); information provided by currently available instruments and sensors; opportunities provided by the integration of data from different sources.
Classroom activities for processing the collected data: data analysis, interpretation, development of simple forecasting models for decision support.
Before the lab, enrolled students will be provided with bibliographic material for in-depth study of the issues on which the project will focus.
At the end of the workshop the students will prepare a report and a presentation of the results.
Teaching Resources
Students will be provided with scientific papers
Assessment methods and Criteria
The learning outcomes will be evaluated on the basis of the report and the final presentation of the laboratory. In particular, the evaluation criteria will be based on: theoretical and applicative knowledge of the topic; ability to correctly frame the issue and discuss it with adequate links; logic and sequentiality in the introduction of concepts; adequacy of the statistical approach; properties of technical and scientific language.
The evaluation will consist of an approved / disapproved judgment
The evaluation will consist of an approved / disapproved judgment
AGR/19 - ANIMAL SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Field activity: 32 hours
Lessons: 8 hours
Lessons: 8 hours
Professors:
Bava Luciana, Sandrucci Anna Alfea
Professor(s)
Reception:
on request
Reception:
by appointment
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Via Celoria 2