AP1A24-Introduction to Livestock Production

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Sokratis Stergiadis
Email: s.stergiadis@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

You’ll be introduced to the key biological principles in livestock science and an international perspective on livestock production, including the contribution livestock production makes to human health and livelihoods, and the major principles and problems associated with intensive and extensive production. You’ll learn through lectures/screencasts, interactive seminars and project work.

Aims:
This module aims to provide an introduction to key biological principles in livestock science along with an international perspective on livestock production including the contribution livestock production makes to human health and livelihoods, and the major principles and problems associated with intensive and extensive production. Together, this provides a foundation of knowledge that will support further livestock modules taught later in the Agriculture, Agricultural Business Management and Animal Science degree programmes.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• Describe and discuss the contribution made by livestock and livestock products to human livelihoods


• Describe and discuss a range of biological and environmental factors which affect animal performance


• Describe and discuss the relative merits and demerits of extensive and intensive livestock production systems.

Additional outcomes:

As a result of the seminars and team work component, students will:

• Develop academic writing skills, using Word processing software

• Search for, find and critically analyse information using electronic search and other methods

• Work as a team to prepare a presentation on a specified subject

• Present information verbally using supporting presentation software slides

Other transferable and employability skills that will be developed throughout the module are time management and independence, IT skills (use of MS Word and PowerPoint), creativity, research and enquiry skills and global/multicultural awareness around livestock production.

Outline content:

The module provides a wide-ranging background in domestic livestock science, for example the lactation, growth and development of animals and their responses to the environment, alongside an overview of some key livestock production systems and their products. Due consideration is given to both the benefits of livestock production as well as its debits related to environmental footprint and animal welfare. The content will be of interest to students of Agriculture, Agricultural Business Management, Animal Science and other biological or land based disciplines.



The Lecture Contents cover:

• Origins, domestication and classification of livestock species


• The contribution of livestock to human livelihoods


• Genetic diversity in livestock species and its importance


• Animal products


• Introduction to lactation and milk production


• Introduction to growth and development of farm animals


• Animal bioenergetics


• Introduction to animal feeds and nutrition


• Effects of the environment on animal performance


• Efficiency in livestock production


• Grazing, vegetation and landscape


• Intensive production systems; drivers, characteristics, benefits and challenges


• Extensive production systems; drivers, characteristics, benefits and challenges


• The future of livestock production: global and local perspectives

The Seminar Sessions cover:

• Introduction to essay planning and writing


• Introduction to presentation preparation and delivery


• Facilitation of project work, in small student teams, gathering information (from library and internet sources) on set topics related to livestock production systems


• Team presentation of the results of the team project to the whole class

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be approximately 1.5 hours of lecture screencasts provided asynchronously each week. These will be followed by an one hour of interactive face-to-face or online sessions which will provide opportunities for a deeper insight into the screencast material using several teaching approaches, as well as further support for the written assessmentsand the team project work.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	12
Seminars	11
Guided independent study:	77
Total hours by term	100	0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	40
Oral assessment and presentation	40
Class test administered by School	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Summative assessments will comprise an individual essay (40 marks), a team presentation (40 marks) and an on-line Blackboard test (20 marks).

Formative assessment methods:

Formative feedback to draft essays will be provided in one of the seminars to facilitate the preparation of the written assignment.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

By examination in August/September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023