Module Identifier RD25910  
Module Title ADVANCED ANIMAL PRODUCTION  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator Dr Basil T Wolf  
Semester Semester 2  
Pre-Requisite RD15010  
Course delivery Lecture   22 Hours 22 x 1-hour lectures  
  Practical   9 Hours 3 x 3-hour practicals  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam1.5 Hours Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3  50%
Semester Assessment Sheep planning assignment Outcome assessed: 3  50%
Supplementary Assessment Students will be required to re-take the element(s) that led to failing the module  100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Outcome 1
Explain the principles underlying the application of genetics to animal breeding.
Performance criteria:
a. Mendelian inheritance is explained.
b. Inheritance of quantitative traits is explained.
Ranges:
Mendelian inheritance: additivity, dominance, epistasis, pleiotropy, lethals.
Quantitative traits: genotype, environment, heritability, genetic correlation, inbreeding, heterosis.

Outcome 2
Describe national breeding schemes for domestic livestock and interpret and use
published results.
Performance criteria:
a. Required records appropriate to the selection objectives are identified.
b. Organisation of breeding schemes is described.
c. The use of results in selection of replacements and in planning individual matings is explained.
Ranges:
One of either dairy cattle, beef cattle, or sheep.

Outcome 3
Recognise the factors associated with reproductive efficiency in sheep.
Performance criteria:
a. Components of reproductive efficiency are identified and discussed.
b. The manipulation of reproduction in the ewe is described.
c. Evaluate the effect of season of lambing on the husbandry and economics of lamb production.
Ranges:
Reproductive efficiency in the ewe and/or ram.
One from the exogenous control of oestrus, ovulation rate and seasonality in the ewe.
Accelerated, early, mid-season or late lambing systems.

Brief description

The processes of reproduction are fundamental to the continuation of animal production systems. Consequently, the manipulation of reproduction can contribute significantly to increasing the efficiency of production. Livestock improvement is generally within the control of individual farmers and aids to selection and improvement are becoming rapidly more sophisticated. This module provides the underlying scientific information and practical skills required for efficient decision making. An introduction to the husbandry and management of the pig is included, together with consideration of aspects of alternative animal species for use in livestock production.

Transferable skills

.1 Independent project work
   Developed by assignment

.2 IT and information handling
   IT, including the internet ised as resources in the assignment

.3 Writing in an academic context
   Developed by assignment and examination

Reading Lists

Books
Croston D and Pollott G (1994) Planned sheep production Blackwell, Oxford
Simm G (1998) Genetic improvement of cattle and sheep Farming Press, Ipswich

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5