Animal Welfare and Extensive Husbandry System
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to train a professional figure able to make the best management choices in favour of animal welfare and environmental sustainability. First this course will enable students to understand the concept of animal welfare in different farming systems, whether intensive or extensive, and to analyse the critical points of welfare in the main farmed species (ruminants, pigs, poultry and equids).
Then the course aims to define different husbandry and feeding systems for extensive and semi-extensive animal production systems, linking traditional farming knowledge to the new demands of sustainable development.
Then the course aims to define different husbandry and feeding systems for extensive and semi-extensive animal production systems, linking traditional farming knowledge to the new demands of sustainable development.
Expected learning outcomes
This course will provide an excellent scientific basis to enable students to identify situations of compromised animal welfare and to intervene correctly to resolve them, suggesting more animal welfare-friendly farming methods. Students will receive the necessary tools for understanding the environmental impact of livestock farming, the valorisation of animal resources and production in the systems considered, in order to develop a critical and conscious spirit with regard to these issues.
In addition, the skills acquired will provide an understanding of the correct rearing, feeding and nutrition management for livestock mainly in extensive or semi-extensive farming systems.
In addition, the skills acquired will provide an understanding of the correct rearing, feeding and nutrition management for livestock mainly in extensive or semi-extensive farming systems.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
(E.U. 1 - animal welfare
Introduction to the concept of animal welfare (2 hours)
On-farm welfare assessment (3 hours)
Approach to the study of ethology: adaptation, behavioural needs, and stress (2 hours)
The domestication process (2 hours)
Behaviour and welfare of dairy cows (3 hours)
Behaviour and welfare of calves (1 hour)
Behaviour and welfare of beef cattle (1 hour)
Behaviour and welfare of pigs (2 hours)
Behaviour and welfare of goats (2 hours)
Behaviour and welfare of sheep (2 hours)
Behaviour and welfare of equids (2 hours)
Behaviour and welfare of laying hens and broilers (2 hours)
(E.U. 2 - environmental sustainability)
Introduction to the environmental sustainability of livestock
Main categories of environmental impact related to the livestock production (climate change, acidification, eutrophication, land use, and water use)
Ecosystem services of the livestock sector
Characteristics and environmental sustainability of organic livestock farming
Characteristics and environmental sustainability of mountain livestock farming
Characteristics and environmental sustainability of livestock farming in marginal areas
Strategies to mitigate the environmental impact of livestock farming
(E.U. 3 - extensive systems)
Typical productions in extensive or semi-extensive livestock systems.
Pasture management, its nutritional value and grazing food supplementation.
Breeding and feeding techniques of the main income species raised in extensive and semi-extensive conditions.
Nutrition management in extensive farms and comparison with intensive ones typical of the plains; the different production efficiency of the two systems.
Main breeds bred and the types of breeding.
Principles governing organic livestock farming.
Regulations for the management of organic cattle and pig farms.
Issues related to organic farming.
All E.U.s - on farm visits
Introduction to the concept of animal welfare (2 hours)
On-farm welfare assessment (3 hours)
Approach to the study of ethology: adaptation, behavioural needs, and stress (2 hours)
The domestication process (2 hours)
Behaviour and welfare of dairy cows (3 hours)
Behaviour and welfare of calves (1 hour)
Behaviour and welfare of beef cattle (1 hour)
Behaviour and welfare of pigs (2 hours)
Behaviour and welfare of goats (2 hours)
Behaviour and welfare of sheep (2 hours)
Behaviour and welfare of equids (2 hours)
Behaviour and welfare of laying hens and broilers (2 hours)
(E.U. 2 - environmental sustainability)
Introduction to the environmental sustainability of livestock
Main categories of environmental impact related to the livestock production (climate change, acidification, eutrophication, land use, and water use)
Ecosystem services of the livestock sector
Characteristics and environmental sustainability of organic livestock farming
Characteristics and environmental sustainability of mountain livestock farming
Characteristics and environmental sustainability of livestock farming in marginal areas
Strategies to mitigate the environmental impact of livestock farming
(E.U. 3 - extensive systems)
Typical productions in extensive or semi-extensive livestock systems.
Pasture management, its nutritional value and grazing food supplementation.
Breeding and feeding techniques of the main income species raised in extensive and semi-extensive conditions.
Nutrition management in extensive farms and comparison with intensive ones typical of the plains; the different production efficiency of the two systems.
Main breeds bred and the types of breeding.
Principles governing organic livestock farming.
Regulations for the management of organic cattle and pig farms.
Issues related to organic farming.
All E.U.s - on farm visits
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of husbdandry systems and nutrition of farm animals. Additionally, it is recommended to have knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of farm animals.
Teaching methods
Lectures and classroom exercises and seminars. Educational field trips to farms. Attendance is highly recommended. All the slides presented during the lectures will be available on MyAriel.
Teaching Resources
E.U. 1: Lecture notes, slides, and materials are available on the course's MyAriel website.
Further readings:
C. Carenzi e M. Panzera (Eds) 2008. "Etologia applicata e benessere animale". Vol. 1 - Parte generale. Le Point Veterinaire Italie srl, Milano. ISBN 978-88-95995-52-6.
C. Carenzi e M. Panzera (Eds) 2009. "Etologia applicata e benessere animale". Vol. 2 - Parte speciale. Le Point Veterinaire Italie srl, Milano. ISBN 978-88-95995-53-3.
Welfare Quality® protocols: www.welfarequality.net/en-us/home/
AWIN protocols: https://air.unimi.it (search "AWIN protocol")
University Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW): www.ufaw.org.uk
International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE): http://www.applied-ethology.org/index.html
European Commission (Animal Welfare): https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/welfare_en
World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH): www.woah.org
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): www.efsa.europa.eu/it
COST Action LIFT Lifting Farm Animal Lives - laying the foundations for positive animal welfare https://liftanimalwelfare.eu/
E.U. 2: Lecture notes, slides, and materials are available on the course's MyAriel website.
Further readings:
- Allevamento animale e sostenibilità ambientale. Vol. 1: principi. A cura di Bruno Stefanon, Marcello Mele, Giuseppe Pulina. Editore Franco Angeli, 2018, ISBN: 9788891761835
- Allevamento animale e sostenibilità ambientale. Vol. 1: le tecnologie. A cura di Bruno Stefanon, Marcello Mele, Giuseppe Pulina. Editore Franco Angeli, 2018, ISBN: 9788891771469
E.U. 3: Lecture notes, slides, and materials are available on the course's MyAriel website.
Further readings:
C. Carenzi e M. Panzera (Eds) 2008. "Etologia applicata e benessere animale". Vol. 1 - Parte generale. Le Point Veterinaire Italie srl, Milano. ISBN 978-88-95995-52-6.
C. Carenzi e M. Panzera (Eds) 2009. "Etologia applicata e benessere animale". Vol. 2 - Parte speciale. Le Point Veterinaire Italie srl, Milano. ISBN 978-88-95995-53-3.
Welfare Quality® protocols: www.welfarequality.net/en-us/home/
AWIN protocols: https://air.unimi.it (search "AWIN protocol")
University Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW): www.ufaw.org.uk
International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE): http://www.applied-ethology.org/index.html
European Commission (Animal Welfare): https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/welfare_en
World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH): www.woah.org
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): www.efsa.europa.eu/it
COST Action LIFT Lifting Farm Animal Lives - laying the foundations for positive animal welfare https://liftanimalwelfare.eu/
E.U. 2: Lecture notes, slides, and materials are available on the course's MyAriel website.
Further readings:
- Allevamento animale e sostenibilità ambientale. Vol. 1: principi. A cura di Bruno Stefanon, Marcello Mele, Giuseppe Pulina. Editore Franco Angeli, 2018, ISBN: 9788891761835
- Allevamento animale e sostenibilità ambientale. Vol. 1: le tecnologie. A cura di Bruno Stefanon, Marcello Mele, Giuseppe Pulina. Editore Franco Angeli, 2018, ISBN: 9788891771469
E.U. 3: Lecture notes, slides, and materials are available on the course's MyAriel website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam consists of a written test structured as follows:
- 30 multiple-choice questions (4 options, one correct answer, 1 point for each correct answer, 0 points for no answer, -0.25 points for each wrong answer) to be completed in 45 minutes;
- 3 open-ended questions to be completed in 75 minutes.
Evaluation criteria: theoretical and practical knowledge of the subjects; ability to correctly contextualize the topic with appropriate connections; proficiency in technical and scientific language.
The final grade is expressed in thirtieths.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
- 30 multiple-choice questions (4 options, one correct answer, 1 point for each correct answer, 0 points for no answer, -0.25 points for each wrong answer) to be completed in 45 minutes;
- 3 open-ended questions to be completed in 75 minutes.
Evaluation criteria: theoretical and practical knowledge of the subjects; ability to correctly contextualize the topic with appropriate connections; proficiency in technical and scientific language.
The final grade is expressed in thirtieths.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
AGR/18 - ANIMAL NUTRITION AND FEEDING - University credits: 3
AGR/19 - ANIMAL SCIENCE - University credits: 7
AGR/19 - ANIMAL SCIENCE - University credits: 7
Practicals: 32 hours
Lessons: 64 hours
Lessons: 64 hours
Shifts:
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
on appointment
Reception:
By appointment
DiSAA