Sustainable Livestock Farming

44M0524

Master

English

5.0

only summer term

1 semester

Lectures will be held in Enlish. If all students speak German as their native language, lectures will be held in German, with englisch course material.

Sustainable livestock farming includes aspects of both animal welfare and environmental impact. Both aspects require genetic and husbandry considerations. Molecular biological, ethological and structural engineering all play a role here. Animal health management must also be considered.

The module establishes the basis for understanding sustainable livestock farming and approaches to optimizing husbandry and breeding. The effects of individual measures and activities are analyzed and evaluated.

- Structure and special features of animal husbandry in Germany
- Methods of livestock biotechnology and livestock breeding including population genetics
- Measures and activities of a breeding program and legal regulations on livestock breeding
- Measures and concepts for the conservation of livestock genetic diversity
- Special requirements in organic farming
- Consideration of husbandry methods with regard to economic, social and ecological aspects

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• oral exam or
• Written examination

The standard examination form is an oral exam. Alternatively, a written exam may be chosen by the lecturers; the exam type will be defined upon the start of lectures.

The oral examination will be carried out by two examiners per student.

ca. 20-30-minute oral examination (standard) or a 2 hour written exam (alternative)

Sound knowledge of mathematical-stastistical and biometric methods

Sound knowledge of quantitative genetics, population genetics and molecular biological methods

Sound knowledge of livestock husbandry methods

Students are familiar with the structure of livestock farming in Germany and know important characteristics of sustainable livestock farming.

Students can evaluate the sustainability of livestock farming based on breeding methods. They can assess different methods and forms of husbandry with regard to their sustainability and appraise optimization possibilities.

Students can apply breeding methods and assess their effects. They can develop arguments regarding the sustainability aspects of husbandry methods and discuss possible alternative courses of action.

Students can evaluate various methods of livestock breeding and optimize breeding programs. A focus is also placed on animal genetic resources.

Students can further improve breeding aspects of livestock farming using modern methods. Students can formulate hypotheses on new forms of husbandry from a sustainability perspective and collect the relevant data.

Students can explain sustainable livestock farming systems using technically and ethically correct language. The practical orientation of the module creates a good basis for practical cooperation.

Students can recognize the potential of modern methods of livestock breeding. They can review their decisions professionally. They are able to scrutinize and critically reflect on husbandry concepts from a sustainability perspective.

• Wa?muth, Ralf

• Hinrichs, Birgit