Unit FEEDSTUFF TECHNIQUE AND IMPROVEMENT OF FEEDING EFFICIENCY
- Course
- Animal science
- Study-unit Code
- A003312
- Curriculum
- In all curricula
- Teacher
- Sergio De Vincenzi
- CFU
- 6
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2025
- Offered
- 2025/26
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa integrata
NUTRITIONAL AND METABOLIC PATHOLOGY
| Code | GP000826 |
|---|---|
| CFU | 3 |
| Teacher | Maria Chiara Marchesi |
| Teachers |
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| Hours |
|
| Learning activities | Affine/integrativa |
| Area | Attività formative affini o integrative |
| Academic discipline | VET/08 |
| Type of study-unit | Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | The module includes the study of the main nutritional and metabolic diseases of dairy and beef cattle. • Some topics in ruminal physiology and biochemistry will be briefly addressed in order to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these diseases and the possible principles of prevention. • The effects of nutritional and metabolic disorders on the animals' productive performance and immune system will be considered. • The module also covers the main diseases of the udder, understood both as primary conditions and as secondary to metabolic-nutritional imbalances typical of high-yielding dairy cows. |
| Reference texts | Nutrizione e metabolismo della vacca da latte. Alessandro Fantini. Point Veterinarie Italie. Medicina interna e chirurgia del bovino" (Dirksen, Gruender, Stoeber), Le Point Veterinaire (2004) Giovanni Ballarini: Malattie della Bovina da Latte ad alta produzione. Bruno Moretti: Malattie della mammella del bovino. Study material will be provided by the lecturer and will consist of lecture slides and scientific articles related to the topics covered." |
| Educational objectives | The module aims to provide general knowledge about the metabolism of dairy cows, beef cattle, and small ruminants in order to understand some of the metabolic-nutritional imbalances that lead to reduced productive performance. Nutritional and management factors involved in the development of production diseases will be addressed, with the goal of understanding the principles of prevention. Particular attention will be given to the nutritional management of dairy cows during the different phases of production. |
| Teaching methods | The module is structured to offer a comprehensive learning experience through a combination of lectures, seminars, and expert contributions. Lectures will be delivered by the lecturer responsible for the module and will cover the topics listed in the program. 1. Seminar on Foot Pathologies Held by a veterinarian who primarily deals with foot diseases in cattle. 2. Seminar on Nutritional and Metabolic Pathologies in Small Ruminants Conducted by veterinarians working in sheep and goat farming. The seminars will be followed by field visits to cattle and small ruminant farms, organized in collaboration with the veterinarians and farm staff involved in the production systems. This structure ensures that students gain an in-depth understanding of the main issues related to cattle metabolism and nutrition, while also providing valuable insights into related species and specific pathologies. The combination of lectures and seminars aims to deliver both theoretical knowledge and practical applications. |
| Learning verification modality | The exam consists of an oral test. The oral test lasts for about 20-30 minutes and it consists on an interview to ascertain the knowledge level and the understanding level on both the theoretical and the methodological contents of the course program; the oral exam also tests the student's capability to expose the topics with appropriate words. |
| Extended program | Program: - Introduction: basic elements concerning the physiology of digestion and energy metabolism in ruminants - Definition of nutritional and metabolic pathologies and main effects on the immune system (peripartal immunodepression) and productions; - Energy metabolism and its imbalances (ketosis, acidosis and related syndromes, lean cow syndrome, fat cow syndrome); -Mineral metabolism and its imbalances (puerperal hypocalcemic collapse, ground cow syndrome, tetanies); -Nitrogen metabolism and its imbalances (-urea poisoning, rumen alkalosis); -Laboratory monitoring of the metabolic status of dairy cattle (blood, urine, milk); - Breast diseases related to nutritional and metabolic pathology; - pathologies of the muscular system related to nutrition and aptitude - Elements of prophylaxis of the main metabolic and nutritional pathologies (management of dairy cattle calving peripartum). |
FEEDSTUFF TECHNIQUE
| Code | A003313 |
|---|---|
| CFU | 3 |
| Teacher | Sergio De Vincenzi |
| Teachers |
|
| Hours |
|
| Learning activities | Affine/integrativa |
| Area | Attività formative affini o integrative |
| Academic discipline | AGR/18 |
| Type of study-unit | Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | A. Feed production and feed factory. B. Siimple and compound feeds. C. Industrial treatments: technologies and purposes. D. Legislation. |
| Reference texts | Didactic material provided by the teacher. Testi di consultazione 1) Aghina C., Maletto S. - Tecnica Mangimistica, Soc. Ed. Esculapio (BO). 1979; 2) Piccioni M. - Dizionario degli alimenti per il bestiame, Edagricole (BO). 1989; 3) Cevolani D. - Prontuario degli alimenti per il suino. Edagricole (BO). |
| Educational objectives | Provide basic knowledge of feed manufac-turing and technology taking into account the specific biochemical-digestive-metabolic aspects of the livestock and pets of greatest interest and the main legislative standards. |
| Prerequisites | Basic knowledge of nutrition and animal feeding. |
| Teaching methods | Theoretical lectures: in the classroom or remotely with illustration of ppt presenta-tions. Practical lesson: in the classroom or at a feed mill. |
| Other information | -- |
| Learning verification modality | Oral exam, lasting about 30 minutes, aimed at ascertaining the student's level of knowledge, the language property and the ability to connect between the topics. The possibility of ascertaining the know-ledge acquired by the student through the discussion of a ppt presentation will be evaluated. |
| Extended program | Introduction to the course. A. Feed production and feed factory - Feed production in Italy and worldwide. Trade associations. The feed factory: structures, plant design and work organization. Flowchart. Processing schedules and costs. Cereals, seeds and other simple feed. Commodity exchanges. The purchase contracts for simple feed and the selection of suppliers. B. Management of simple and compound feed - Quality control: reception, storage and handling of raw materials. Main technological and nutritional additives. Premix and medicated feed. The manual and computerized formulation of compound feed. Types of finished feed. Labeling. Packaging and transportation. Good production practices.HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and self-check manual. Molds and mycotoxins. Food parasites. Pest control. Cross contamination. Fraud. C. Industrial treatments: technologies and purposes - Preliminaries: cleaning, sieving, aspiration, air separation, decortication, stripping, peeling. Size reduction: grinding, crushing, rolling. Cooking: toasting, flaking, expansion, extrusion, infrared micronization. Dosage. Mixing. Adding liquids: molassing and greasing. Other treatments: pelleting, crumbling. D. Legislation - Food safety and feed responsibility: main national and European legislation in the sector and discipline penalty. Judicial litigation: the role of technical consultants. • Reg. EC 178/2002 and EC 183/2005. • Reg. EC 1829/2003 and 1830/2003. • Reg. EC 1831/2003. • Reg. EC 767/2009. • Reg. EC 152/2009, EC 691/2013 and EU 2017/625. • Reg. EC 68/2013, EU 2017/1017 and UE 2022/1104. • Reg. EC 51/2013 and 56/2013. • Reg. EC 893/2017. • Reg. EU 2019/4. |