Module Identifier
RS25020
Module Title
APPLIED ANIMAL NUTRITION AND BREEDING
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Dr Basil T Wolf
Semester
Semester 2
Mutually Exclusive
RS30210
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 4 x 1 hour lectures per week
Seminars / Tutorials 6 x 3 hour seminars per semester
Practical 5 x 3 hours
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Feed evaluation/rationing assignment  Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 4  40%
Semester Exam 3 Hours   Written examination  Outcomes assessed: 2, 3, 5, 6. 7  60%
Supplementary Assessment Feed evaluation/rationing assignment using alternative data  40%
Semester Exam 3 Hours   Written examination  60%

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

Analyse common feeds



Interpret the results of feed analysis

Describe the current feeding standards used in animal nutrition

Formulate rations for ruminant livestock and horses

Outline the principles of Mendelian genetics using examples from domestic livestock and discuss their application to breeding for coat colour, and the control of lethal or deleterious conditions with Mendelian inheritance.

Apply the basic concepts of quantitative genetics.

Describe national breeding schemes for domestic livestock and evaluate aspects of their design that influence the rate of genetic improvement for metric traits.

Brief description

The lecture course involves a study of the present and previous feeding standards used in animal nutrition, leading to a discussion of ration formulation and the analytical techniques required for feed evaluation. The animal breeding component of the module will investigate Mendelian and quantitative genetics, parentage testing, and the definition of selection objectives for successful breeding programmes. Practical classes include the identification of various feed ingredients and the determination of the chemical composition of feedstuffs, which will enable students to formulate rations for ruminants and horses.

Aims

The primary aim of the new module is to develop an understanding of the principles of animal nutrition and animal breeding together with their application to the management of domestic farm animals and horses. The main aims are:

a. To develop an understanding of the importance of feed analysis and its limitations for efficient animal nutrition.
b. To outline the principles of ration formulation for ruminant livestock and horses and to apply the current feeding standards.
c. To outline the principles of Mendelian and quantitative genetics in animals.
d. To define selection objectives and discuss problems in the evaluation of breeding value in the genetic improvement of performance in horses and farm livestock.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number The successful formulation of rations for horses and livestock involves the use of relatiely complex equations and ideas in order to establish nutrient and energy requirements and allowances. These will form an integral part of the feed evaluation/ration formulation assignment and will be assessed at that point. Animal breeding requires an understanding of statistical concepts such as probability, variance, regression and correlation. Skills in the use of numerical information will be developed during lectures and practical classes, and will be assessed by examination.
Improving own Learning and Performance Will be developed and assessed in both the written assignment and examination.

Reading List

General Text
(c2007.) Nutrient requirements of horses /Committee on Nutrient Requirements of Horses, Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Division on Earth and Life Studies, National Research Council of the National Academies. 6th rev. ed. National Academies Press Primo search (2002.) The feeds directory :branded products guide /edited by W.N. Ewing. Context Primo search AFRC (1993) Energy and protein requirements of ruminants. An advisory manual prepared by the Technical Committee on Responses to Nutrients CAB International, Wallingford Primo search Chamberlain, A. T. (c1996.) Feeding the dairy cow /by A. T. Chamberlain and J. M. Wilkinson. Chalcombe Primo search Ewing, W N (2002) The feeds directory Context Publishing Primo search Frape, David (2004) Equine nutrition and feeding /David Frape 3rd ed. Blackwell Publishing Primo search McDonald P (1991) The biochemistry of silage 2nd Chalcombe Publications Primo search Pilliner, Sarah. (1999.) Horse nutrition and feeding. 2nd. ed. Blackwell Primo search Pond, Wilson G. (c2004.) Basic animal nutrition and feeding /W.G. Pond, D.C. Church, K.R. Pond. 5th ed. Wiley Primo search Simm G (1988) Genetic improvement of cattle and sheep Farming Press Primo search Stark B A, Givens D I and Wilkinson J M (1986) Ruminant feed evaluation Chalcombe Publications Primo search Underwood, Eric J. (1999 (various p) The Mineral nutrition of livestock /by E. J. Underwood and N. F. Suttle. 3rd ed. CAB International Primo search Van Soest, Peter J. (1994.) Nutritional ecology of the ruminant /Peter J. Van Soest. 2nd ed. Cornell UP Primo search Willis M B (1998) Dalton's introduction to practical animal breeding Blackwell Science Primo search Young, N. E. ([2002?].) The forages and protein crops directory /N.E. Young. Context Primo search Essential Reading
McDonald P, Edwards R A, Greenhalgh J F and Morgan, C A D (2002) Animal nutrition 6th Longman Scientific and Technical Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5