Module Title:Animal Nutrition_Semesterisation
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 10
NFQ Level:6
Module Delivered In 4 programme(s)
Teaching & Learning Strategies: Learners will be encouraged to actively partake in class discussions and group work. Site visits to farms to discuss nutritional management will be in discussion group format. Case studies, (e.g. IFA smart farming) will be used to demonstrate nutritional management strategies that improve the performance of the farm business. Practical lab sessions will explore the chemistry of feed and how nutritional composition is determined. Students will have the opportunity to visit feed compounders and nutrition service providers in the south east as part of their course.
Module Aim: The aim of this module is develop the learners understanding of nutrition as it applies to animals with a particular emphasis on farm animal production. The various sources of feed and the relative inclusion levels in monogastric and ruminant diets will be explored as well as some of the nutritional management considerations in a well-run animal production system. Students will also have an understanding of the consequences of animal nutrition on the wider environment including the impact on consumer health.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Demonstrate a knowledge of animal nutrition as it applies to various farmed animals and the interaction between nutrition and management of the animal
LO2 Describe the inter-relationship between nutrients and the consequences of these interactions for the nutritional wellbeing of the animal
LO3 Explain how a typical on-farm and commercial ration for monogastric and ruminant animals is formulated
LO4 Be capable of completing a feed budget for an animal production system
LO5 Demonstrate an understanding of the environmental impact of animal nutrition and strategies to minimise this.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Feeding management of farmed animals
Interaction between the animal and it’s environment, factors controlling feed intake in farmed animals, the interaction between the animal and it’s herd mates and the effect of illness on intake in animals.
The physical and chemical properties of animal feed
The physical preparation of feeds, nutrient composition, digestibility, energy and protein systems for ruminant and monogastric diets
Ration Formulation
Production and procurement of quality ingredients – grain, by-products of the brewing, distilling, bio-ethanol and plant oil industries, forages for ruminant and equine animals, assessing the quality of rations vs. least cost formulations, home grown feeds options including storage and utilisation, feed delivery systems and formulation of diets for ruminant and monogastric animals
The role of animal nutrition in environmental footprint of feeds
Assessment of feeds based on the environmental foot print (e.g. through the use of FeedPrint or other platforms), understanding how this can be manipulated through correct diet formulation and feed management
Assessment Breakdown%
Practical60.00%
End of Module Formal Examination40.00%
No Continuous Assessment
No Project
Practical
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Practical/Skills Evaluation Students will complete two nutritional chemistry labs focusing on the determination of carbohydrates in animal feed and protein fractions within animal feed 1,2,3 20.00 n/a
Practical/Skills Evaluation Students to complete ration formulation labs based on the knowledge acquired during practical demonstrations on this topic. The formulation lab will be completed for dairy cattle, beef cattle and sheep. 1,2,3,4 20.00 n/a
Practical/Skills Evaluation Students will complete reports on filed labs that will take place during the semester. These reports will be submitted electronically in a timely manner following the completion of field lab. 1,2,3,4 20.00 n/a
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Formal Exam Students will complete a formal end of semester examination. 1,2,3,4,5 40.00 End-of-Semester

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00
Practicals 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00
Independent Learning Time 12 Weeks per Stage 6.00
Total Hours 144.00
 

Module Delivered In

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CW_SWOAG_B Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Organic Agriculture 4 Mandatory
CW_SWSFM_B Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness 4 Mandatory
CW_SWOAG_D Bachelor of Science in Organic Agriculture 4 Mandatory
CW_SWSFM_D Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness 4 Mandatory