Rationing of Livestock
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the course of Rationing of Livestock is for students to develop knowledge and understanding regarding the development of rationing plans in monogastric and ruminant animals with reference to health promotion, environmental and economic sustainability.
Expected learning outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding: the student, at the end of the course, will have to demonstrate to be able to formulate an appropriate diet for farm animals in the different physiological phases, critically choosing the most appropriate solutions in relation to production potential and health conditions.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: the student will have to demonstrate that they possess knowledge and concepts useful for evaluating the completeness and correct balance of the ration and feed, as well as the adequacy of the information necessary to allow the breeder to choose the product best suited to the animals' needs and guarantee safety and quality.
3. Making judgments: the student must demonstrate the ability to critically argue the information acquired. In this sense, educational trips to companies operating in the food for livestock sector, in-depth seminars and group work with discussion of case studies relating to specific problems related to the nutrition of monogastric and polygastric animals are aimed.
4. Communication: the student must demonstrate the ability to express himself/herself with scientifically appropriate terminology, regarding the terminology referring to identifying and explaining the critical issues and strengths of the proposed dietary regimes. The student must be able to critically and proactively approach the study of the subject, analyzing the material provided by the teacher, the recommended texts and official websites. The student must be able, during frontal and practical lessons, to explain the knowledge acquired, using appropriate terminology, updated and in harmony with other disciplines.
5. Lifelong learning skills: the student will have to demonstrate that he possesses knowledge in terms of notions and methodologies and the reasoning skills acquired during the course will allow the student to continue his/her study independently by deepening and updating his knowledge in the field of livestock feeding to formulate appropriate diets and develop feed according to current regulations.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: the student will have to demonstrate that they possess knowledge and concepts useful for evaluating the completeness and correct balance of the ration and feed, as well as the adequacy of the information necessary to allow the breeder to choose the product best suited to the animals' needs and guarantee safety and quality.
3. Making judgments: the student must demonstrate the ability to critically argue the information acquired. In this sense, educational trips to companies operating in the food for livestock sector, in-depth seminars and group work with discussion of case studies relating to specific problems related to the nutrition of monogastric and polygastric animals are aimed.
4. Communication: the student must demonstrate the ability to express himself/herself with scientifically appropriate terminology, regarding the terminology referring to identifying and explaining the critical issues and strengths of the proposed dietary regimes. The student must be able to critically and proactively approach the study of the subject, analyzing the material provided by the teacher, the recommended texts and official websites. The student must be able, during frontal and practical lessons, to explain the knowledge acquired, using appropriate terminology, updated and in harmony with other disciplines.
5. Lifelong learning skills: the student will have to demonstrate that he possesses knowledge in terms of notions and methodologies and the reasoning skills acquired during the course will allow the student to continue his/her study independently by deepening and updating his knowledge in the field of livestock feeding to formulate appropriate diets and develop feed according to current regulations.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Didactic unit: Ruminant feeding
Lectures
- Diets formulation and digestive process in polygastric animals (2 hours)
- Feed characteristics, practical use and related problems (2 hours)
- Diet formulation: from basic calculation to PC elaboration (2 hours)
- Practical diet formulation in lactating cow (4 hours)
- Practical diet formulation in cattle (4 hours)
- Practical diet formulation in lactating buffalo (1 hours)
- Practical diet formulation in veal calf (1 hours)
Practical training
- Manual and PC diets formulation (8 hours)
- Practical training in livestock farm (8 hours)
Didactic unit: Monogastric feeding
Lectures
Pigs Feed Formulation:
- Precision nutrition of sow and gilts (2 hours)
- Nutritional strategies for gastrointestinal health during weaning (2 hours)
- Diet formulation according to typical Italian Heavy Pig (2 hours)
- Precision feeding and role of nutrition in reducing environmental impact (3 hours)
Poultry Feed Formulation:
- Nutritional requirements of domestic fowl (2 hours)
- Feeding programs (1 hour)
- Influence of diet on meat and egg quality (2 hours)
Rabbit Feed Formulation
- Nutritional requirements of rabbits and feeding system for intensive production (2 hours)
Practical training
- Least cost feed formulation computer optimization for pigs (6 hours)
- Least cost feed formulation computer optimization of poultry (4 hours)
- Least cost feed formulation computer optimization of rabbit (2 hours)
- Practical training in livestock farm (4 hours)
Didactic unit: Dietology
Lectures
- Optimal nutrition in FPA (2 hours)
- Nutrition and metabolic health (1 hour)
- Nutrition and Production diseases in farm animals (4 hours)
- Nutrition and animal product quality (2 hours)
- Bio-accessability, bio availability, and biomarkers in nutritional status assessment (2 hours)
- Technological quality and its impact on nutrition (2 hours)
- Alternative feed ingredients nutritional and functional evaluation (3 hours)
Practical training (16 hours)
- Journal club
- Database consultation
- Technical visit
Lectures
- Diets formulation and digestive process in polygastric animals (2 hours)
- Feed characteristics, practical use and related problems (2 hours)
- Diet formulation: from basic calculation to PC elaboration (2 hours)
- Practical diet formulation in lactating cow (4 hours)
- Practical diet formulation in cattle (4 hours)
- Practical diet formulation in lactating buffalo (1 hours)
- Practical diet formulation in veal calf (1 hours)
Practical training
- Manual and PC diets formulation (8 hours)
- Practical training in livestock farm (8 hours)
Didactic unit: Monogastric feeding
Lectures
Pigs Feed Formulation:
- Precision nutrition of sow and gilts (2 hours)
- Nutritional strategies for gastrointestinal health during weaning (2 hours)
- Diet formulation according to typical Italian Heavy Pig (2 hours)
- Precision feeding and role of nutrition in reducing environmental impact (3 hours)
Poultry Feed Formulation:
- Nutritional requirements of domestic fowl (2 hours)
- Feeding programs (1 hour)
- Influence of diet on meat and egg quality (2 hours)
Rabbit Feed Formulation
- Nutritional requirements of rabbits and feeding system for intensive production (2 hours)
Practical training
- Least cost feed formulation computer optimization for pigs (6 hours)
- Least cost feed formulation computer optimization of poultry (4 hours)
- Least cost feed formulation computer optimization of rabbit (2 hours)
- Practical training in livestock farm (4 hours)
Didactic unit: Dietology
Lectures
- Optimal nutrition in FPA (2 hours)
- Nutrition and metabolic health (1 hour)
- Nutrition and Production diseases in farm animals (4 hours)
- Nutrition and animal product quality (2 hours)
- Bio-accessability, bio availability, and biomarkers in nutritional status assessment (2 hours)
- Technological quality and its impact on nutrition (2 hours)
- Alternative feed ingredients nutritional and functional evaluation (3 hours)
Practical training (16 hours)
- Journal club
- Database consultation
- Technical visit
Prerequisites for admission
The preliminary knowledge for adequately address the course are those of the course.
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures and exercise activities aimed at the development of rations and feed for farm animals, as well as the evaluation of dietary interventions and solutions aimed at improving health and production. There will also be visits to farms and industrial plants to produce industrial food as well as meetings with professional experts in the sector.
Teaching Resources
Consultation of the following texts is also recommended:
Didactic Unit Ruminant feeding
- Manuale di Nutrizione dei Ruminanti da Latte. Ronchi, Savoini, Trabalza Marinucci, 2020 - EdiSES, Napoli.
Didactic Unit Monogastric feeding
- Teaching material provided by the teacher on the Ariel platform: https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=8229
- Prontuario degli alimenti per il suino (Cevolani D., Ed.), 2020 - Edagricole, Bologna
- Nutrient Requirement of Swine, Eleventh Revised Edition, The National Academies Press, 2012.
- Nutritional Guide of Poultry (https://aviagen.com)
Didactic Unit Dietology
- Large Animal Clinical Nutrition (1991) Jonathan M. Naylor, Sarah L. Ralston
- Production diseases in farm animals (2006) Nanda P. Joshi and Thomas H. Herdt
Didactic Unit Ruminant feeding
- Manuale di Nutrizione dei Ruminanti da Latte. Ronchi, Savoini, Trabalza Marinucci, 2020 - EdiSES, Napoli.
Didactic Unit Monogastric feeding
- Teaching material provided by the teacher on the Ariel platform: https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=8229
- Prontuario degli alimenti per il suino (Cevolani D., Ed.), 2020 - Edagricole, Bologna
- Nutrient Requirement of Swine, Eleventh Revised Edition, The National Academies Press, 2012.
- Nutritional Guide of Poultry (https://aviagen.com)
Didactic Unit Dietology
- Large Animal Clinical Nutrition (1991) Jonathan M. Naylor, Sarah L. Ralston
- Production diseases in farm animals (2006) Nanda P. Joshi and Thomas H. Herdt
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final test, in a written format common to all modules of the integrated course, is based on the reference material and the practical activities carried out during the course
The test is divided into 3 sections, each relating to each of the modules of the integrated course.
Section 1 (Ruminant feeding) provides for the development of a cattle ration.
Section 2 (Monogastric feeding) includes 10 multiple choice questions and 1 open question on MOODLE platform.
Section 3 (Dietetics) includes 10 multiple choice questions and 1 open questions on MOODLE platform.
Evaluation criteria:
Section 1 (Polygastric Rationing): a grade out of thirty will be assigned based on the ability to apply the knowledge learned to develop the proposed ration.
Sections 2 (Monogastric feeding): 2,5 points are awarded for each correct answer to the multiple-choice questions. The evaluation of open answers is carried out according to the following elements of judgment:
5 points: excellent and in-depth knowledge of the topics. Clarity of presentation and perfect use of the terminology. Excellent order and synthesis.
3-4,5 points: good knowledge of the topics. Clarity of presentation and correct use of the terminology. Good order and synthesis.
2-2,5 points: superficial knowledge of the topics. Partial clarity and sometimes imprecise use of the terminology. Acceptable order and synthesis.
0-1,5 points: the answer is severely lacking or missing entirely. Completely insufficient knowledge of the topics. Disordered exposition, devoid of scientific logic and expressed with an incorrect terminology. Inadequate order and synthesis.
Section 3 (Dietetics): 2,5 points are awarded for each correct answer to the multiple-choice questions. The evaluation of open answers is carried out according to the following elements of judgment:
5 points: excellent and in-depth knowledge of the topics. Clarity of presentation and perfect use of the terminology. Excellent order and synthesis.
3-4,5 points: good knowledge of the topics. Clarity of presentation and correct use of the terminology. Good order and synthesis.
2-2,5 points: superficial knowledge of the topics. Partial clarity and sometimes imprecise use of the terminology. Acceptable order and synthesis.
0-1,5 points: the answer is severely lacking or missing entirely. Completely insufficient knowledge of the topics. Disordered exposition, devoid of scientific logic and expressed with an incorrect terminology. Inadequate order and synthesis.
The total duration of the written test is 90 minutes.
The 3 sections are evaluated separately with a mark out of thirty. The final grade of the integrated course, always expressed in thirtieths, is the average of the grades obtained in the 3 sections. The minimum grade deemed sufficient is 18/30. Below a pass, the student is required to repeat the entire test.
To take the exam, registration for the exam session via the University's ONLINE SIFA service is mandatory. Students not regularly registered through the SIFA service are not admitted to the exam. The results of the test will be communicated via SIFA.
There are no differentiated verification methods for attending and non-attending students.
The test is divided into 3 sections, each relating to each of the modules of the integrated course.
Section 1 (Ruminant feeding) provides for the development of a cattle ration.
Section 2 (Monogastric feeding) includes 10 multiple choice questions and 1 open question on MOODLE platform.
Section 3 (Dietetics) includes 10 multiple choice questions and 1 open questions on MOODLE platform.
Evaluation criteria:
Section 1 (Polygastric Rationing): a grade out of thirty will be assigned based on the ability to apply the knowledge learned to develop the proposed ration.
Sections 2 (Monogastric feeding): 2,5 points are awarded for each correct answer to the multiple-choice questions. The evaluation of open answers is carried out according to the following elements of judgment:
5 points: excellent and in-depth knowledge of the topics. Clarity of presentation and perfect use of the terminology. Excellent order and synthesis.
3-4,5 points: good knowledge of the topics. Clarity of presentation and correct use of the terminology. Good order and synthesis.
2-2,5 points: superficial knowledge of the topics. Partial clarity and sometimes imprecise use of the terminology. Acceptable order and synthesis.
0-1,5 points: the answer is severely lacking or missing entirely. Completely insufficient knowledge of the topics. Disordered exposition, devoid of scientific logic and expressed with an incorrect terminology. Inadequate order and synthesis.
Section 3 (Dietetics): 2,5 points are awarded for each correct answer to the multiple-choice questions. The evaluation of open answers is carried out according to the following elements of judgment:
5 points: excellent and in-depth knowledge of the topics. Clarity of presentation and perfect use of the terminology. Excellent order and synthesis.
3-4,5 points: good knowledge of the topics. Clarity of presentation and correct use of the terminology. Good order and synthesis.
2-2,5 points: superficial knowledge of the topics. Partial clarity and sometimes imprecise use of the terminology. Acceptable order and synthesis.
0-1,5 points: the answer is severely lacking or missing entirely. Completely insufficient knowledge of the topics. Disordered exposition, devoid of scientific logic and expressed with an incorrect terminology. Inadequate order and synthesis.
The total duration of the written test is 90 minutes.
The 3 sections are evaluated separately with a mark out of thirty. The final grade of the integrated course, always expressed in thirtieths, is the average of the grades obtained in the 3 sections. The minimum grade deemed sufficient is 18/30. Below a pass, the student is required to repeat the entire test.
To take the exam, registration for the exam session via the University's ONLINE SIFA service is mandatory. Students not regularly registered through the SIFA service are not admitted to the exam. The results of the test will be communicated via SIFA.
There are no differentiated verification methods for attending and non-attending students.
AGR/18 - ANIMAL NUTRITION AND FEEDING - University credits: 9
Practicals: 48 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Bontempo Valentino, Giromini Carlotta, Invernizzi Guido, Ottoboni Matteo, Pinotti Luciano, Sgoifo Rossi Carlo Angelo
Shifts:
1 turno per gruppi di studenti da 16 ore
Professor:
Sgoifo Rossi Carlo Angelo2 turno per gruppi di studenti da 16 ore
Professor:
Invernizzi Guido3 turni per gruppi di studenti da 16 ore
Professor:
Invernizzi Guido4 turno per gruppi di studenti da 16 ore
Professor:
Pinotti Luciano5 turno per gruppi di studenti da 16 ore
Professor:
Giromini Carlotta6 turno per gruppi di studenti da 16 ore
Professor:
Invernizzi Guido7 turno per gruppi di studenti da 16 ore
Professor:
Ottoboni MatteoProfessor(s)