Animal Feed and Feeding (5cr)

Objective

The students recognize the nutrients in feeds, principles of feed evaluation as well as the digestive systems of animals and understand their significance in feeding. They know the principles and objectives of feed planning, and are able to evaluate how a change in the proportions of the components of a diet affects the amount and content of nutrients. They can assess the results of a feeding plan and put it into practice and can calculate the amount of feed needed for the animals annually. They are familiar with the technology used in feeding.

Content

Nutrients, composition and feeding value of typical feeds, farm animal digestion systems, feed planning and its relationship with animal welfare and health, assessment of the results of feeding and feeding technology.

Location and time

The schedules for the scheduled online teaching can be found in the timetable at https://lukkarikone.seamk.fi/. Timetables are published for the next six weeks. The first six weeks of autumn are published by Midsummer and the first six weeks of spring by Christmas. Timetables may be subject to changes.

Materials

Feed tables and feeding recommendations
Siljander-Rasi, H., Nopanen, A. & Helin. J. (toim.) 2006: Sian ruokinta ja hoito. Tieto tuottamaan 114. ProAgria keskusten liitto
Kyntäjä, S., Nokka, S., Harmoinen, T. & Ellä, A. (toim.) 2010: Lypsylehmän ruokinta. Tieto tuottamaan 133. ProAgria keskusten liitto

Teaching methods

Completion of the course requires participation in both contact teaching and online teaching.
The course includes joint online meetings/pair or group work at campus.
The course includes laboratories at the SEAMK campus.
The course also includes independent work online.
The students familiarize themselves with the theoretical material, complete online assignments / practice project / exam according to the given instructions.

Student workload

The workload of the study is designed so that one credit corresponds to an average of 27 hours of student work to achieve the learning objectives. The actual time required varies individually, e.g., due to prior knowledge.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The students can describe the digestive systems and the main principles of feed digestion. They can name the nutrients and make a simple calculation of the amounts of feeds needed. They can list the fundamentals of assessing the results of feeding. They can name the most usual technological solutions used in feeding.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The students can describe the connections between digestive systems, main chemical properties of nutrients and selection of feeds used for different farm animals. They can calculate the total amount and contents of nutrients in a diet of an animal and compare the results with feeding recommendations and other instructions given for feed formulation. They can put feeding plans into practice and assess the results of feeding. They can describe differences between technological solutions used in feeding.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The students can explain the biological significance of nutrition. They can plan diets based on typical components and calculate the amount of feed needed annually or for a growing period. They can assess the results of feeding in practice. They can describe differences between technological solutions used in feeding and explain their significance.