none
The goal of the course production is to have students able to understand: - the relevance of livestock systems; - the main management principles implicated in different livestock systems; - the different feeding behavior of grazing animals; - the relationship between grazing animal management and pastures. Finally, At the end of the course students will have developed a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each livestock system. This allows the student to understand the potential relationships between environmental, economic and social aspects interacting in the rural-forest context.
The economic relevance of livestock productions. Main approaches used to classify global livestock systems. The ecological equilibrium of pastures in mediterranean areas; The proper use of pastures in livestock production. The grazing behavior of different livestock species; Dairy sheep system: main feeding strategies and farm management; Dairy goats system: main feeding strategies and farm management; Dairy cattle system: main feeding strategies and farm management; Cattle beef system: main feeding strategies and farm management; Swine systems: main feeding strategies and farm management. Main environmental impact assessment of livestock production on animal food quality. Basic informations about the impact of livestock production on environment
Books: L’alimentazione degli ovini da latte, ed. G. Pulina; L’alimentazione della capra da latte, ed. G. Pulina; Tecniche di produzione animale, Bittante et al.
Slides used for lectures and seminars