Learning objectives
1- Knowledge and understanding:
- acquire knowledge about the chemical and biological evaluation of animal feeds.
- know the organizational and management aspects of feed companies.
- show mastery of the factors affecting the digestibility and use of feeds
- know the laws governing the preparation and trading of all substances of nutritional interest.
– know the dietary requirements of dairy buffaloes and pigs during the different production phases.
- possess the basic knowledge for the evaluation and formulation of diets for pigs and dairy buffaloes
2- Applied knowledge and understanding:
- Being able to recognize the different feeds categories within a diet.
- Being able to understand and interpret the data about feeds characterization.
- Being able to evaluate a diet for swine and dairy buffaloes.
3- Judgment autonomy:
- show mastery of factors that affect the digestibility and use of foods
- being able to identify critical issues at the feeds and diet level in different scenarios.
- being able to identify nutritional similarities and dissimilarities among different species.
4- Communicative Skills:
- Know how to communicate clearly to less experienced and less accredited respondents the correct nutrition and nutrition techniques and how to operate in breeding farms.
- Being able to interact positively with the various professional figures working in the farms.
5- Learning Skills:
- Be able to adapt their own indications to the different production contexts and to the different managerial levels that can be found at farms.
- Being able to properly interpret the results of scientific research on animal nutrition
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The module, organized into three sections, will deal with conventional and non-conventional raw materials (feeds), technologies aimed at modifying the physical and/or chemical characteristics of foods (feed technologies), and the main aspects that regulate protein, energy vitamin and mineral digestion and metabolism(nutrition). Furthermore, aspects relating to nutritional requirements and the formulation of rations for pigs and dairy buffaloes will be examined.
Full programme
FEED TECHNOLOGY AND ANIMAL FEEDS PRODUCTION
Raw materials: cereal, cake and flour extraction of oilseed meal of animal origin, feed materials and other products. Receiving, storage and preservation of foods. Quality of raw materials and the finished product. Treatments to improve the nutritional value of individual commodities:
the process of flaking of extrusion, blow molding, micronization and roasting. Heat treatments for the estruction of anti-nutritional factors thermolabile.
Manufacture of compound feedingstuffs: techniques of milling, blending components, addition of liquid, compression of simple and compound feed by the process of pelleting and extrusion.
ANIMAL NUTRITION
General properties and nutritional roles of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
The metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins in ruminants and monogastric.
Fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins: metabolism, signs of deficiency, sources of supply, requirements.
The mineral elements: general definitions. Calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, iron, copper, cobalt, manganese, zinc, iodine and other trace elements.
Metabolism, symptoms deficiency, requirements.
Feed additives, antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes. Generalities, definitions, mechanism of action.
Feeding requirements and diet formulation and evaluation in swine and dairy buffaloes
Bibliography
- MC DONALD P. EDWARDS R.A., GREENALGH J.F.D., MORGAN C.A., SINCLAIR R.A., WILKINSON R.G.. “ANIMAL NUTRITION” EIGHT EDITION, PEARSON EDUCATION LIMITED, 2022.
- KUNDU S.S., MAHANTA S.K., SULTAN S., PATHAK P.S. “ANIMAL FEED TECHNOLOGY”SATISH SERIAL PUBLISHING HOUSE, 2021.
- CEVOLANI D. "ALIMENTI PER LA VACCA DA LATTE E IL BOVINO DA CARNE" Edagricole 2014.
- BERTACCHINI F., CAMPANI I.: Manuale di allevamento suino, Edizioni Agricole della Calderini s.r.l., Bologna, 2001.
- NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (NRC): Nutrient requirement of domestic animals: n. n. 2 Pigs (1998), Nat. Acad. Sci., Washington.
Teaching methods
The module of ANIMAL FEEDS, NUTRITION AND FEED TECHNOLOGY will be presented through conventional and heuristic lectures supported by presentations and/or other audio-visual material. Furthermore, new teaching techniques such as "flipped classroom", "cooperative learning" and "peer learning" will be gradually introduced. Field and on-site practical will be planned with the aim of observing in practice what is discussed in theoretical form.
Assessment methods and criteria
Learning evaluation will take place through summative assessment.
Mode and type of test: written test and an interview.
The written test will consist of 10 questions. Passing the written test will give access to the oral test in which n. 1 question will be asked.
Rating scale: the rating scale goes from 0 to 30 with honors.
Weights and evaluation criteria: each satisfactory answer has the maximum value of n. 6 points; answers not given or incorrect have a value of 0. The final grade will be calculated using a weighted average in which the written test will have a weight of 70% and the oral test 30%.
Method of returning test results: the grade of the written test is communicated within few days after the test. The final grade is communicated at the end of the oral exam
The written test will allow the objective evaluation of each candidate, whereas the oral test is intended to evaluate the communication skills of each student.
Other information
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