General animal nutrition (176009)
Course coordinator
Course description
Students will learn to evaluate the nutrient contents in feeds and nutritional needs of animals - a basis for the correct preparation of diets on the farm, planning crop and livestock production and additional activities facilitating enrollment to doctoral studies. Students will learn about nutrients present in feeds as well as about the nutrient needs of different types and categories of animals. The analytical methods for nutrient quantification will be learned (dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibres, water soluble sugars, starch, neutral detergent fibres, acid detergent fibres, lignin, digestible fibres etc.) and discussed. The effect of nutrition on the course of livestock production in several distinguished production types will be learned and discussed (for example: lactating dairy cows, grazing animals, poultry etc.).
Type of course
- Graduate studies / MS Courses taught in English (Elective course, 1 semester, 1 year)
ECTS: 6.00
Teaching hours: 60
Lectures: 50
Practicum: 6
Seminar: 4
Lecturer
Grading
Sufficient (2): 60-70
Good (3): 71-80
Very good (4): 81-90
Excellent (5): 91-100
Conditions for obtaining signature
• Participation in teaching.
• Preparation and presentation of a seminar paper.
General competencies
After completion of the Module, students will be competent to use their knowledge in practical conditions. They will know how to evaluate quality of feeds in compare to nutritional, health and productive needs of different types of animals (i.e. poultry, pigs, beef etc). They will learn how to evaluate and compare different types of feeds. Main objective of this module is to prepare students to on farm conditions and how to use basic knowledge in animal feeds quality in order to optimize on farm production.
Types of instruction
- Lectures
- Seminars
Trace elements and their physiological role in animal nutrition - Exercises
Comparison and implementation of various systems assessment of the nutritional value of feed. Visit to the various farms: poultry, pig and lactating dairy farm - field exercise
Learning outcomes
| Learning outcome | Evaluation methods |
|---|---|
| Recognize the importance of nutrients essential in animal feeding. Distinguish differences between the biological role of different nutrients. | Written or oral |
| Describe the process of feed digestion and metabolism of nutrients. Compare the needs of nutrients and energy in different animal species. | Written or oral |
| Explain the impact of nutrition on animal welfare, human health and the environment | Written or oral |
| Define the specific chemical analysis of diverse nutrients in feed and fodder, and on the basis of the results obtained with this analysis design the animal diets. | Written or oral |
Weekly class schedule
- Students will be familiar with the nutrients present in feed as well as the nutrient needs of different types and categories of animals, the effect of nutrition on the course of livestock production as well as the composition of plant and animal organisms (comparison)
- Specificity of the digestive system of different animals (pigs, poultry, horses, cattle etc). Digestion of nutrients in defined parts of the digestive tract of animals.
- Organic nutrients (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins). Digestion and resorption of nutrients.
- Organic nutrients ( carbohydrates, lipids, proteins ). Digestion and resorption of nutrients
- Biologically active substances ( water soluble vitamins )
- Biologically active substances ( vitamins soluble in fats ) enzymes and hormones
- Different systems for assessing the metabolism of nutrients and energy.
- Methods for evaluation of nutritional requirements of animals
- Balances of nutrients and energy. Comparison and implementation of various systems assessment of the nutritional value of feeds.
- Sampling of biological samples. Evaluation of feeds and their connection with the standards of nutrition for the maintenance, growth, reproduction and lactation
- Food intake, estimation: monogastric animals, ruminants. Calculations. Animal feeding and the consumption of animal products - interconnection of animal feeding and human nutrition.
- Antinutritive substances in animal feeds. Nutrigenomics
- Comparison and implementation of various systems assessment of nutritional needs of domestic animals. Comparison and implementation of various models of animal meal and feed preparation
- Trace elements and their physiological role in animal nutrition
- Field exercise
Obligatory literature
- McDonald P., Edwards R. A., Greenhalgh J. F. D., Morgan C. A. (2002): Animal Nutrition 6th Edition, Pearson Education Limited, UK 693 Pages
- Lectures and PowerPoint presentations - on site
- Moughan, P.J., Vestegen, M.W.A., Visser-Reyneveld ( 2000): Feed evaluation-priciples and practice, Wageningen Pers, Wageningen Nizozemska, 285 pages