Module Identifier RS33020  
Module Title DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT OF ORGANIC LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Mr Nicolas Lampkin  
Semester Semester 1  
Pre-Requisite RS10910 , RS11010 and either, RS20210 or, RS20310 or equivalents  
Assessment Essay   3,000 Word essay and oral presentation - submit by beginning of week 9   40%  
  Exam   3 Hours   60%  

Syllabus / Curriculum design


The module will cover the following topics: The role of livestock in organic agriculture; Certification and regulations; Forage production; Forage conservation; Forage quality, utilisation and grazing management; Principles of livestock nutrition; Supplementary protein and energy sources; Ration formulation; Animal health ? fundamental principles ; The animal health/disease complex; The relationship between diet and health; Disease prevention and treatment; Complementary therapies; Homoeopathy; Parasite control; Animal behaviour, ethology and welfare; Housing design and animal behaviour/welfare/environment; Breeding for disease resistance and other objectives; Milk, beef, sheep, pigs and poultry production systems.

Learning outcomes


By the end of this module, students should be able to:


1.   Discuss the role and integration of livestock in organic farming systems;


2.   Identify the regulations governing organic livestock production in the European Union, and describe the way these
   regulations are implemented in the UK;


3.   State the key factors governing forage quality and utilisation and its contribution to livestock nutrition, health and
   performance;


4.   Assess the suitability of feedstuffs and their combination for optimal health and performance;


5.   State the key factors governing livestock health, and discuss their application in practice, with particular reference to
   nutritional deficiencies, fertility, parasites and disease prevention through the use of appropriate management strategies;


6.   Determine appropriate uses of conventional therapeutic medicines, vaccines and alternative/complementary therapies for the
   control of diseases;


.   state the key factors governing animal welfare and behaviour, and assess the impact of organic practices with particular reference to housing and health


.   discuss the role of breeding in enhancing productivity and parasite/disease resistance and define appropriate breeding objectives;


.   specify appropriate production objectives and management practices for individual livestock species.

Aims of the module


To describe and analyse the objectives, principles and practice of organic livestock production systems.

Reading Lists

Books
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
Haggar R J and Padel S (eds). (1996) Conversion to organic milk production. Technical Review No. 4. Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Aberystwyth.
Keatinge, R. (1994-7). Organic hill livestock research ? annual reports. ADAS, Redesdale
Keatinge, R. (1997). Controlling internal parasites without anthelmintics. Report for MAFF. ADAS, Redesdale.
Lampkin N H. (1990) Organic Farming. Farming Press
Lampkin N H (ed). (1997) Constraints on organic poultry production. Report for MAFF.
Owen J B and Axford R J F (eds). (1991) Breeding for disease resistance in farm animals. Proceedings of Conference. CABI
Newton J. (1992) Organic grassland. Chalcombe Publications
Roderick S, Short N and Hovi M. (1996) Organic livestock production - animal health and welfare research priorities.. VEERU, University of Reading
Boehncke E and Molkhentin V (eds.). (1991) Alternatives in animal husbandry. Conference proceedings. University of Kassel, Witzenhausen.
Chamberlain A, Walsingham J M and Stark B. (1989) Organic meat production in the '90s. Proc. Conf. Reading University, September 1989, Chalcombe Publications
EU. (1997) Draft regulation on organic livestock production. European Commission, Brussels