Technologies for Reducing Environmental Impact in Animal Husbandry

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
56
Overall hours
SSD
AGR/09
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The aim of the Technologies for the reduction of environmental impact in livestock farming course is to develop knowledge and understanding regarding the best available technologies as structures, systems and techniques to evaluate and mitigate the environmental impact generated by agro-zootechnical systems
Expected learning outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding: the student, at the end of the course, will have to demonstrate knowledge of the ability to evaluate the environmental impact resulting from various types of livestock farming.
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the student will have to demonstrate that they possess useful knowledge and concepts in order to evaluate the best techniques available in agro-zootechnical systems and their sustainability.
3. Critical and judgment skills: the student must demonstrate the ability to critically argue the information acquired. Specific exercises, educational trips, information days and group work on the topics covered are aimed in this direction
4. Ability to communicate what has been learned: the student must demonstrate the ability to express himself with scientifically appropriate terminology, in particular with regard to the terminology referring to pollutants originating from various types of livestock, their management, the treatments applicable to sewage, and therefore by the related emission mitigation methods. The exercises are intended to stimulate the ability to express oneself correctly and the ability to discuss scientifically with peers.
5. Ability to continue studying independently throughout life: the student must demonstrate the ability to use the knowledge acquired to interpret new environmental techniques applied to animal husbandry, with the help of available sources of knowledge and good mental organization
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Lessons, 40 hours
Basic knowledge of buildings, systems and physics
Environmental pollution, 2 h
The legislation on the values of pollutants in the air, water and soil, 3 h
Pollutants generated on farm and emitted (IPCC and IPPC), 3 h
Dust, gas and redox potential (OP), 3 h
Evaluation of the environmental effects in relation to the type of housing structure, applicability, side effects on energy consumption and animal welfare, 3 hours
Poultry and pig farms subject to the IPPC Directive (96/61/EC), 3 h
Investment and management costs, 3 h
Cattle breeding, the impact generated by ruminants and the failure to include them in the emission inventories, 3 h
Control techniques of animal production processes to ensure, with an integrated approach, the reduction of all forms of polluting emissions, in the air, in the water, in the soil, 3 h
Innovative materials and techniques for mitigation, 3 h
Identification of BAT technologies (Best Available Techniques) for intensive farming, 3 h
Integrated Environmental Authorization (AIA), 3 h
The carbon footprint of agro-zootechnical practices: the calculation of the environmental impact. LCA, 3 hours
The correct insertion of intensive livestock into the rural landscape, 2 h
Exercises, 16h
Calculation of emissions from stables, storage and spreading areas, 3 h
Knowledge and use of emission control software in livestock farms, 3 h
Identification in pig and poultry farms of the application of different BAT technologies 5, 10 h
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of agricultural-livestock systems
Teaching methods
Lectures and classroom exercises, technical visits to farms and research centers
Teaching Resources
Slides on Ariel and other documents
Costruzioni rurali. Chiudenti R., Edagricole, Bologna 1996
Bonazzi, Fabbri e Valli. 2003 - Allevamenti a basso impatto ambientale - Ed. L'informatore Agrario
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a written test. For the written test there are multiple choice questions, which concern the whole program of the course, as present in the reference material.
- Exam methods: written exam
- Type of test: written test with closed answers
- Duration of the test: The time given to take the written test is n. 60 minutes.
- Evaluation parameters: for each correct answer to the multiple choice and 2 open questions, calculation (10 in total) correspond 3 points, as regards the evaluation of the open answers, the following elements of judgment are adopted: knowledge of the topics; expository clarity and use of the terminology of the subject
- Type of evaluation used: mark out of thirty
There are no intermediate tests.
There are no differentiated verification methods between attending and non-attending students.
Method of communication of test results via SIFA
AGR/09 - AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY AND MECHANIZATION - University credits: 6
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor: Costa Annamaria
Shifts:
Turno
Professor: Costa Annamaria
Professor(s)