Organic Animal Husbandry and Feeding
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the basic knowledge on animal production and nutrition in organic farming, to develop knowledge and understanding regarding the main attributes of organic farming of the most common livestock systems, according to EU legislation and organic principles at international level.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: the student will acquire knowledge on the basic principles of animal production and nutrition in organic farming.
Applying knowledge and understanding: the student will acquire skills to interpret the main aspect of farm management according to the organic principles. The student will learn how to evaluate the critical points related to the management of animals and nutrition in an organic livestock farm.
Making judgment: the student will develop the ability to critically argue the information acquired. Visits to organic farms, seminars and case studies discussed in small groups are aimed in this direction.
Communication: the student will develop the ability to use the appropriate terminology, in particular the one referred to organic farm management according to the current European regulation. Case studies are intended to stimulate the ability to communicate correctly and to discuss with peers in a scientific context.
Lifelong learning skills: the reasoning skills and the notions and methodologies acquired during the classes should allow the student to continue autonomously the study and the lifelong updating the knowledge in the field of organic farming.
Applying knowledge and understanding: the student will acquire skills to interpret the main aspect of farm management according to the organic principles. The student will learn how to evaluate the critical points related to the management of animals and nutrition in an organic livestock farm.
Making judgment: the student will develop the ability to critically argue the information acquired. Visits to organic farms, seminars and case studies discussed in small groups are aimed in this direction.
Communication: the student will develop the ability to use the appropriate terminology, in particular the one referred to organic farm management according to the current European regulation. Case studies are intended to stimulate the ability to communicate correctly and to discuss with peers in a scientific context.
Lifelong learning skills: the reasoning skills and the notions and methodologies acquired during the classes should allow the student to continue autonomously the study and the lifelong updating the knowledge in the field of organic farming.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
LECTURES
- Introduction to the topic and presentation of the course. 1 hour.
- General statistical elements: production and market. 2 hours.
- History of the organic movement. 2 hours.
- Principles and values of organic farming. 2 hours.
- Animal production in the context of organic farming. 1 hour.
- Regulatory framework in international and national laws. 4 hours.
- The role of animal welfare in organic farming. 3 hours.
- Selection and breeds for organic production. 3 hours.
- Prevention and treatment in the framework of organic farming. 2 hours
- Production techniques in organic farming: feeding and grazing. 2 hours.
- Organic animal feed: quality of animal nutrition and feed rations. 3 hours.
- Organic animal feed: safety issues. 2 hours.
- Feeding the animals during the conversion phase. 2 hours.
- Formulating balanced rations in organic livestock production. 2 hours.
- Basic information on ruminant and pig farming according to certified organic method. 4 hours.
- Traceability and labelling of organic products. 2 hours.
- Future developments of standards and new alternative approaches to agricultural systems. 3 hours.
PRACTICAL
Practical visits to organic livestock farms. 8 hours
Feed Analysis methods. 3 hours
Control and certification to organic farming methods. 3 hours
Notification steps for starting the conversion phase. 2 hours
- Introduction to the topic and presentation of the course. 1 hour.
- General statistical elements: production and market. 2 hours.
- History of the organic movement. 2 hours.
- Principles and values of organic farming. 2 hours.
- Animal production in the context of organic farming. 1 hour.
- Regulatory framework in international and national laws. 4 hours.
- The role of animal welfare in organic farming. 3 hours.
- Selection and breeds for organic production. 3 hours.
- Prevention and treatment in the framework of organic farming. 2 hours
- Production techniques in organic farming: feeding and grazing. 2 hours.
- Organic animal feed: quality of animal nutrition and feed rations. 3 hours.
- Organic animal feed: safety issues. 2 hours.
- Feeding the animals during the conversion phase. 2 hours.
- Formulating balanced rations in organic livestock production. 2 hours.
- Basic information on ruminant and pig farming according to certified organic method. 4 hours.
- Traceability and labelling of organic products. 2 hours.
- Future developments of standards and new alternative approaches to agricultural systems. 3 hours.
PRACTICAL
Practical visits to organic livestock farms. 8 hours
Feed Analysis methods. 3 hours
Control and certification to organic farming methods. 3 hours
Notification steps for starting the conversion phase. 2 hours
Prerequisites for admission
There are no compulsory propaedeutic exams (barrier exams) but basic knowledge of animal production and nutrition.
Teaching methods
Lectures (40 hours) with projected slides containing text, diagrams or images and videos. Experts may supplement lectures. During lectures specific aspects will be exploited through interactive discussions.
Practicals (16 hours) will be run as specified at the couse syllabus in class, teaching labs (chemical and biological lab) and field visits.
Practicals (16 hours) will be run as specified at the couse syllabus in class, teaching labs (chemical and biological lab) and field visits.
Teaching Resources
Presentations and teaching materials discussed during the course will be available on myAriel website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
There are 7 exam sessions taking place in: January, February, April, June, July, September and October. Extra exam sessions only for students enrolled in supplementary years take place on request in March, May and November/December.
It is compulsory to register for the exam trough the SIFA online service.
Verification will take place through a single exam, consisting of an oral interview aimed to evaluate knowledge and understanding of the lectures' subjects and of the practice activities. The test will be evaluated in thirtieths and the score will take into account the accuracy and the capacity to motivate the answers, as well as the capacity to explain the concepts acquired with appropriate and updated terminology.
It is compulsory to register for the exam trough the SIFA online service.
Verification will take place through a single exam, consisting of an oral interview aimed to evaluate knowledge and understanding of the lectures' subjects and of the practice activities. The test will be evaluated in thirtieths and the score will take into account the accuracy and the capacity to motivate the answers, as well as the capacity to explain the concepts acquired with appropriate and updated terminology.
AGR/18 - ANIMAL NUTRITION AND FEEDING
AGR/19 - ANIMAL SCIENCE
AGR/19 - ANIMAL SCIENCE
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Barbieri Sara, Rebucci Raffaella
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)