Feeding and Breeding of Production AnimalsLaajuus (8 cr)

Objective

Students are able to plan the feeding and care of the most important production animals. Students are able to determine the nutritional requirements of various animals according to their various production stages and estimate the influence of nutritional factors on the quality of livestock products.
Students are able to describe the Finnish farm animal breeds.
They know the breeding objectives and methods for different farm animals and understand the importance of animal material in the production.

Content

Operation of the gastrointestinal system
- ruminants and monogastric animals
- development of young animals
- absorption of nutrients
Determination of the necessary nutrients
- energy and protein
Feeds and their properties
- feed analysis
- feed values and feed tables
Planning of feeding
- specific characteristics of production stages
- feeding plans
- practical organisation of feeding
- monitoring the success of feeding
Products and their quality
Breeding operations in Finland
- organisation and animal material
Breeding objectives and methods
- basics of heredity in brief
- objectives, rating and mating methods
The effects of breeding on animal material and production
- practical operation and impact of activity

Qualifications

– Feed production practices.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Student with basic skills (1-2)
- Students can plan largely the feeding of farm animals and handle the basics of animal material development.

Developing learner (3-4)
- Students can independently plan the feeding of farm animals and is able to assess the impact of feeding and breeding on the production.

Expert performer (5)
- Students are able to independently apply their skills of nutrition planning in a variety of farm circumstances and know how to develop the practices in a farm regarding feeding, care and breeding.