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VM2003 - Livestock Husbandry

Offering Academic Unit
Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health
Credit Units
3
Course Duration
One Semester
Course Offering Term*:
Semester B 2023/24

* The offering term is subject to change without prior notice
 
Course Aims

This course is intended to provide veterinary students with a foundation in livestock production systems where livestock (cattle (beef and dairy), small ruminants, pigs, and poultry) are grazed on rangelands or pastures or where they are managed in high densities. The course will introduce the uses of production livestock, outline the basics of livestock industries, animal identification, production targets, and data recording.  Students will learn about animal husbandry and management of livestock including housing, management of the thermal environment and air quality, provision of water and feed (including agronomy in pastoral systems and feed provision in intensive systems), waste management, and biosecurity. Students will be taught about the link between livestock husbandry and management and production and health issues, how to identify poor husbandry or management practices, and how to make positive husbandry/management changes on-farm. The course will also cover production cycles, general reproductive management, and routine interventions. Students will visit local farms and facilities where they will learn how to assess husbandry systems for pigs, poultry, and cattle. During these visits, students will also assess the respective production systems, in particular routine management practices and farm outputs (productivity). Where appropriate, students will handle pigs, poultry, and cattle, providing opportunities to both observe and practice good stockmanship.  


Assessment (Indicative only, please check the detailed course information)

Continuous Assessment: 60%
Examination: 40%
Examination Duration: 2 hours
 
Detailed Course Information

VM2003.pdf