Module Identifier | RSM1420 | |||||||||||
Module Title | THE MANAGEMENT AND HEALTH OF ORGANIC LIVESTOCK | |||||||||||
Academic Year | 2003/2004 | |||||||||||
Co-ordinator | Dr Phillipa K Nicholas | |||||||||||
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 | |||||||||||
Other | Visit. 3-day study tour | |||||||||||
Assessment |
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.2 IT and information handling
Practical exercises, feed formulation and animal health data bases
.3 Use and analysis of numerical information
Practical exercises, feed formulation
.4 Writing in an academic context
The assignment will be laid out in the style of an academic report with suitable use of reference material cited according to library guidelines.
.5 Oral discussion and presentation
There will be plenty of opportunity for group discussion and/or for oral presentations/debates on specific current topics.
.6 Careers need awareness
Students will have the opportunity to meet experts in selected topics during the module and will also be provided with current information from current research projects throughout the course.
.7 Self-management
The assignment will involve the choice of a suitable topic following discussions with the course tutor. There will be opportunity to the student to undertake independent research for information and to contact selected experts in the subject area chosen. The written assignment will be used to encourage the development of time management and communication skills.
.8 Group activity
Group activity will be a central feature of this module with opportunities for practical problem solving exercises and group discussions during practical sessions and tutorials. A `study tour? and/or a 2-day residential course/conference will be organized to illustrate practical aspects of organic livestock production and will provide the opportunity to meet with experts involved the development of organic livestock enterprises and other aspects of the organic industry. The conference will also provide the opportunity for students to give presentations based on their assignment work.
1) The role of livestock in organic agriculture;ie the philosophical basis of organic livestock production and current issues, eg breed selection, animal behaviour, breeding for disease resistance and current issues in organic certification/implementation of UK/EU regulations;
2) Feeding organic livestock i.e. evaluating the principles (theory and practice) of feeding organic livestock with reference to practical constraints and the need to ensure that the nutritional requirements of livestock (sheep, cattle, pigs and poultry) are met; this will include discussion of current research on the subjects of `novel? forage production, forage and fodder crop management and the use of concentrates;
3) The principles of animal health and welfare i.e. evaluation of disease prevention and control strategies with reference to specific diseases and management practices, this will include discussion/debate on the use of conventional medicines/strategies vs complementary therapies.
The broad aim of the module is to provide students with sufficient background knowledge of the principles of livestock production (with examples) so that they can understand and critically evaluate the objectives, principles and practice of organic livestock production with reference to the science and philosophy underpinning organic livestock production.
This module is at CQFW Level 7