Module Identifier RSM1420  
Module Title ORGANIC LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Dr Susan Cork  
Semester Semester 1  
Course delivery Lecture   22 Hours 11 x 2 hour lectures  
  Seminars / Tutorials   12 Hours 6 x 2 hour seminars/tutorials  
  Practical   12 Hours 6 x 2 hour practicals  
  Visit   3-day study tour  
Assessment Course work   Assignment and oral presentation 30% of the marks will be derived from the written work, 10% from the oral presentation.   40%  
  Exam   3 Hours   60%  
  Resit assessment   Resit/represent the failed element(s) of the module.    

Syllabus


The module will cover the following topics:
The role of livestock in organic agriculture;
Certification and regulations;
Principles of livestock nutrition (ruminants and monogastrics);
Supplementary protein and energy sources;
Ration formulation;
Forage production;
Forage conservation;
Forage quality, utilisation and grazing management;
Fodder crops and the use of organic concentrates;
Housing design and animal behaviour/welfare/environment;
Animal health and welfare/animal behaviour;
The animal health/disease complex; fundamental principles and application;
Disease prevention and control including reference to the use of complementary therapies;
Breeding for disease resistance and other objectives;
Livestock production systems;
Milk, beef and sheep, pig and poultry production systems;

Brief description


The broad aim of this module is to provide students with background knowledge of livestock production, within organic farming systems, so that they can understand and evaluate the objectives, principles and practice of organic livestock production systems with reference to the science underpinning livestock production.

Reading Lists

Books
Boehncke E and Molkhentin V (eds). (1991) Alternatives in animal husbandry. Conference Proceedings. University of Kassel, Witzenhausen
Boehncke E. (1997) Preventive strategies as a health resource for organic farming. IN Isart J, and Llerena J J (eds) Resource use in organic farming. Proceedings of 3rd ENOF Workshop, Ancona
Chamberlain A, Walsingham J M and Stark B. (1989) Organic meat production in the '90s. Proc. Conf. Reading University, September 1989, Chalcombe Publications
Foelsch D (ed). (1978) The ethology and ethics of animal production. Birckhaeuser, Basel
Fox, M W. (1984) Farm animals: husbandry, behaviour and veterinary practice. University Park Press, Baltimore
Fritz S and Andresen T. (1994) Organic Animal Husbandry. Fritz and Associates, Australia
Garnworthy P C and Wiseman, J. (2001) Recent advances in animal nutrition. Nottingham University Press
Haggar R J and Padel S (eds). (1996) Conversion to organic milk production. Technical Review No. 4. Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Aberystwyth.
Hemsworth P H and Coleman G J. (1998) Human-livestock interactions: the stockperson and the productivity and welfare of intensively farmed animals. CAB International
Keatinge, R.. Organic hill livestock research - Annual reports 1994 - 1998. ADAS, Redesdale
Keatinge, R.. (1997) Controlling internal parasites without anthelmintics. Report for MAFF. ADAS, Redesdale.
Lampkin N H. (1990) Organic Farming. Farming Press

Technical Reports
Lampkin N H (ed). (1997) Constraints on organic poultry production. Report for MAFF. MAFF

Books
Macey, A. (2000) Organic livestock handbook. Canadian Organic Growers, Ottawa
Newton, J. (1992) Organic grassland. Chalcombe Publications, Canterbury
Ostergaard, T V (ed). (1996) Fundamentals of organic agriculture. Proceedings of 11th IFOAM International Organic Farming Conference. IFOAM, Tholey-Theley
Owen J B and Axford R J F (eds). (1991) Breeding for disease resistance in farm animals. Proceedings of Conference. CABI
Pond W G and Pond K R. (2000) Introduction to animal science. John Wiley & Sons Inc
Roderick S, Short N and Hovi M. (1996) Organic livestock production - animal health and welfare research priorities.. VEERU, University of Reading

Web Page/Sites
Official Journal of the European Communities. (1999) Regulation 1804/99 on organic livestock production. European Commission http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/lif/dat/1999/en 399R1804 html