BAGB306 - IFE

BAGB306
Principles of Animal Husbandry and Health and Safety

ECTS Value: 5 ECTS

Overall Objectives and Outcomes

This module will develop the knowledge and abilities to work in and manage production of livestock and their respective industries. Animal husbandry entails dissimilar enterprises with diverse animal species having different needs which must be met through different resources. This module gives an overview of the breeding, feeding and management of beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, swine and goats. It also outlines the biological principals applicable to the animal husbandry with emphasis on reproduction, lactation, animal health, and behaviour. The module will go into the management of the farm’s environment, the animals’ health and health and safety of the farmer or operator respectively. This module analysis the various procedures, protocols, schedules and measures that can be used to keep the farmed animals in an optimal state of welfare.

By the end of this programme, participants should be able to:

Competences

a. Monitor animal welfare in order to improve performance;
b. Manage animal health issues;
c. Recommend a farm operation plan for different farm animals.

Knowledge

a. Be familiar with the sex and life stage terminology for livestock species;
b. Foster the knowledge of the origin of animal husbandry and animal contribution to humans;
c. Communicate about Egg, meat, milk and other animal products;
d. Associate reproduction and artificial insemination;
e. Understand animal health, growth and development;
f. Outline beef and dairy management;
g. Determine how the swine industry is managed;
h. Outline Sheep and goat management;
i. Know about animal behaviour;
j. Appreciate the importance of animal welfare and Environmental issues;
k. Identify health and safety issues on the farm.

Skills

a. Predict production challenges faced by the farmer when farm environmental conditions are not kept within optimal range;
b. Compare the reproductive scheme for a range of farm animal species;
c. Compare and contrast the management of a sheep and a goat farm;
d. Check the day to day management of a dairy farm;
e. Suggest structural modifications to swine farm modifications to improve health and safety issues for the farmer or operator respectively;
f. Decide on an optimal program that must be followed to prevent incidence of disease in animals of a given farm;
g. Schedule the operations of different farms for the whole life-cycle of the animals being produced;
h. Examine issues arising from population demands and the need for high productivity;
i. Express your opinion of health and safety issues when working on a beef cattle farm;
j. Define the importance of quarantine in preventing disease dispersal;
k. Explain why a manure clamp is essential to reduce environmental issues in relation to ground water;
l. Argue about the different swine reproductive systems;
m. Develop analytical and investigative skills related to animal behaviour;
n. Develop study and research skills needed to re-use animal waste;
o. Study a range of alternative methods and techniques to improve sheep wool production;
p. Keep feeding records on PC or laptop;
q. Use video clips to learn different techniques of animal husbandry.

Mode of Delivery

This module adopts a blended approach to teaching and learning. Information related to the structure and delivery of the module may be accessed through the IfE Portal. For further details, kindly refer to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy and Procedures found on the Institute for Education’s website.

Assessment Methods

This programme adopts continuous and summative methods of assessment including assignments, online tasks, reflective journals, projects and video presentations. For further details, kindly refer to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy and Procedures.