Animal Husbandry

Aim of the course is to supply the basic knowledge on: 1) the rearing techniques of the main animal species of northern Italy (namely dairy and meat cattle, and pigs) with notes on the influence of the farming systems on production and quality of milk and meat, environment, and animal welfare; 2) nutrition, as description of the different nutrients and their utilization in the organism, and feeding, as a characterization of the main feeds and nutritive requirements of dairy cattle and pigs.

Once passed the final exam, the student will have acquired basic skills in animal nutrition and feeding, and the ability to formulate simple diets for dairy cattle and pigs; he/she will have also the basic skills and tools for the technical evaluation of different breeding systems in view of an in-depth study during the master's degree and for a professional support to the livestock farm.