APS-31306 Future Livestock Systems

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

APS-20806 Systems Approach in Animal Sciences; APS-30306 Sustainable Development of Animal Systems: Issues and Options.

Contents:

This course explores livestock systems that meet future economic, environmental and societal demands. Drivers of development for a variety of livestock systems will be explained and discussed. Systems vary from high to low external input systems, from conventional to organic systems and from systems with the emphasis on meat and milk production to those with emphasis on nature and landscape management and social reasons for keeping animals. The course covers future developments, analyses of values and functions of animals, resource use and livestock environment interactions in both developed and developing countries.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- analyse future roles of livestock in farming systems;
- evaluate drivers for livestock farming systems development;
- distinguish values and functions of animals and animal systems, resource use and environmental issues;
- use an analytical approach (the logical framework) for project design;
- design projects and strategies for livestock systems development;
- critically judge livestock systems development.

Activities:

- students will acquire these skills through lectures;
- assignments;
- group discussions;
- writing and presentation of a report based on the logical framework approach.

Examination:

- written test with open question (60% to be answered in English);
- group report and oral presentation on a design of future livestock systems (40% in English).
Each component needs a minimum mark of 5.5 to pass.

Literature:

Study guide and reader in English.