AN 401 - Advanced Livestock Production & Management

3 Credits

1. demonstrate knowledge of the traditional and non-traditional production systems of livestock species and the agri-food industries associated with those species. 
2. apply the scientific principles of genetics, reproduction, nutrition, physiology, and environment and their integration into an animal production system.
3. implement sustainable and efficient management practices for a livestock production system that address factors such as climate change, food quality and safety, changing consumer preferences and animal welfare.
4. demonstrate knowledge in the application of practical tools, technologies and skills for the effective and efficient management of grazing and forage systems in a livestock operation.
5. describe genetic phenotyping and associated genetic technologies and their application to advancing livestock production. 
6. identify current harvest and processing methods for major livestock food animals and apply food safety, traceability and regulatory practices and technologies.
7. explore technologies used in verification and traceability and in “verified production systems”.
8. research current livestock technologies such as robotics, facial recognition, data systems and platforms, automation, etc.
9. demonstrate how technology practices can protect the environmental health of livestock ecosystems.
10. solve problems using analytical, critical thinking, deductive reasoning, and troubleshooting skills individually and in a team environment.

Halachmi, I. (2015). Precision livestock farming applications: making sense of sensors to

     support farm management. Wageningen Academic Pub. E-book:

Guarino M, Norton T, Berckmans D, Vranken E, Berckmans D. (2017). A blueprint for

     developing and applying precision livestock farming tools. Animal Frontiers, 7(1):12.

Groher T, Heitkämper K, Umstätter C. (2020). Digital technology adoption in livestock

     production with a special focus on ruminant farming. Animal, 14(11):2404.

FAO. (2013). Livestock solutions for climate change. E-technical bulletin:

Ahmad L. (2018). Satellite farming: an information and technology-based agriculture.

Stafford J. (2019). Precision agriculture for sustainability.

Conduct of Course:
This course contains 42 hours of lectures and 28 hours of lab activities. The lecture portion provides information for students to take notes on various topics addressed by this course. The laboratory portion encompasses activities where the students get familiar with different technologies applied to livestock husbandry, understanding the hardware, the data generation, end-user information and troubleshooting. Activities held at labs serve as basis for the students to develop their term project on technology application in livestock systems.

At the end of each lecture, the students have a quiz to answer in class. The term project allows students to analyze aspects related to the need and implementation of precision livestock technologies to enhance sustainability of a livestock production system under a real or fictitious case study. The final exam evaluates the knowledge of the students at the completion of the course within the context of the learning objectives outlined above.

Classroom and laboratory attendance is considered vital to the learning process and as significant to the students’ evaluation as examinations and reports.

• Students having a combination of excused and/or unexcused absence of 20 percent or higher for the scheduled course hours are required to withdraw and automatically receive a “RW” (required withdrawal) for the course, regardless of any other evaluation results. (RW is a failing grade.).
• An excused absence is one that is verified with your instructor. Verification should be prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence. Verification of the absence may take the form of a note from your doctor/College nurse regarding illness, or a note from another instructor regarding a field trip or other activity, or authorization by your instructor. An unexcused absence is anything NOT verified by the instructor prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence.

It is the students’ responsibility to know their own absentee record.

Normal hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with potential for evening courses, exams or extended field trips. Students are expected to be available for classes during these times.

Content of Course:

COURSE UNITS/TOPICS

      1.            Livestock production systems

      2.            Livestock husbandry

      3.            Technology applied to livestock production

      4.            Livestock phenotyping

      5.            Livestock traceability

      6.            Technology implementation

      7.            Fundaments of technology operation

      8.            Applied livestock physiology and biology

Course Assessments:

“Lakeland College is committed to the highest academic standards. Students are expected to be familiar with Lakeland College policies related to academic conduct and academic honesty and to abide by these policies. Violations of these policies are considered to be serious and may result in suspension or expulsion from the College.”

Course Pass Requirements:
A minimum grade of D (50%) (1.00) is required to pass this course.

Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.