85270 - Management Of Farm Animal Genetic Resources

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has the basic knowledge about the management and conservation of the animal genetic resources: cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, poultry. Great emphasis will be placed on the Italian native breeds.

Course contents

The meaning of genetic diversity. The value of animal biodiversity. Italian autochthonous breeds: cattle, horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry. Methods and strategies for conservation and utilization of animal genetic resources. National and International projects for animal biodiversity safeguard.

Readings/Bibliography

In addition to the pictures, graphs and tables showed during the lectures, given by the teacher, you can consul the following books:

- Daniele Bigi e Alessio Zanon - Atlante delle razze autoctone italiane: bovini, ovicaprini, suini allevati in Italia, II edition. Edagricole 2020.

- Alessio Zanon e Daniele Bigi - Atlante delle razze avicunicole autoctone: Polli, Tacchini, Faraone, Anatre, Oche, Colombi, Quaglie, Conigli allevati in Italia. Edagricole 2022.

- Kor Oldenbroek - Utilization and conservation of farm animal resources. Wageningen Academic Publishers 2007.

Teaching methods

The course is divided into two teaching parts, the first, theoretical, consists of 27 hours of lectures supported by pictures and movies with the aim to provide information about domestic animal biodiversity management. The second unit consists of classroom activities supported by experts and visits to farms or events, for 13 hours.

Assessment methods

The evaluation is based on an oral examination. The purpose of the exam is to evaluate the student's preparation on the entire teaching and his ability to connect the concepts and the various aspects covered.

The assessment will take into account 40% of the knowledge acquired, 30% of the exposure skills and 30% of the understanding of the concepts, the links between the various parts of the course and the autonomy of exposure.

Gradation of the final grade:

notions extrapolated only with the help of the teacher, difficult connections and not very fluent language: 18

only some notions expressed autonomously, difficult connections and not very fluent language: 19-23

any notions expressed autonomously, some connections made independently, good language: 24-26

notions expressed autonomously, autonomous connections, good language: 27-29

notions expressed autonomously, numerous and autonomous connections, correct and fluent language: 30-30L

 

Teaching tools

PC with video projector.

Office hours

See the website of Daniele Bigi