Module Information

Module Identifier
BR17000
Module Title
Introduction to Livestock Production and Science
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Portfolio  Students will complete 4 scenario based activities aligned with practical sessions across S1 and S2. These will be submitted as a single portfolio of activities in S2. 1500 Words  60%
Semester Exam 1.5 Hours   MCQ  40%
Supplementary Assessment Portfolio  Students will complete 4 scenario based activities aligned with practical sessions across S1 and S2. These will be submitted as a single portfolio of activities in S2. 1500 Words  60%
Supplementary Exam 1.5 Hours   MCQ  40%

Learning Outcomes

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

Describe the important systems of farmed livestock production and demonstrate retained knowledge and understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the livestock within them.

Identify the biological constraints on productivity for each of these systems and demonstrate retained knowledge and understanding of sustainable management principles.

Demonstrate how livestock and pathogen biology underpin livestock production system efficiency.

Demonstrate the ability to analyse and interpret farmed livestock data.

Brief description

Through a series of lectures and farm and laboratory based practical classes this module provides an introduction to the important systems of farmed livestock production in the context of UK agriculture and how livestock and pathogen biology underpin livestock system efficiency.

Aims

Describe the important systems of farmed livestock production in the context of UK agriculture.
Understand how livestock and pathogen biology underpins livestock system efficiency.
Identify constraints to production, particularly biological constraints, and describe sustainable management practices to overcome them.
Analyse and interpret livestock farm data to evaluate system performance.

Content

The module contact time will consist of approximately half lectures and half field or laboratory-based activity.

Lectures will include and introduction to livestock production and science; introductions to farmed livestock systems (sheep, beef cattle, dairy cattle and poultry); egg and poultry meat production systems; general livestock biology; livestock health focussing on immunity, parasitology, bacteria, protozoa and viruses; biological systems including the reproductive, endocrine and digestive systems; lactation growth and development; sustainable disease management.

Practical sessions will include ruminant livestock dissections; understanding the sheep production cycle and key management activities; calf rearing and beef growing systems; dairy production systems - production cycle, nutrition and mastitis management; managing the ewe and lamb; faecal egg counting for the management of internal parasites.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Critical and analytical thinking The assignments will require students to research topics beyond the depth and scope of the lecture material. Information from a variety of sources will be used. Research skills will be assessed in the assignments. Feedback will be given in the assignment.
Digital capability Data analysis, interpretation and presentation using Excel is required in the assignments. These will be assessed in the assignment and feedback will be provided
Professional communication Students will develop effective written communication skills in the assignments, where these will be assessed. Feedback will be given in the assignments.
Subject Specific Skills Subject specific concepts relating to animal production and biology will be developed and assessed in the assignments and exam. Feedback will be given in the assignments.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4