ASC473 Ruminant Nutrition (8)

This subject involves an in-depth study of applied ruminant nutrition. Students will learn rumen stoichiometry and practical nutritional management for profitable and sustainable ruminant production. They will also learn how to develop appropriate strategies for the management and prevention of nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disease in ruminants. The focus of learning will be application of critical thinking and an evidence-based approach to ruminant nutrition by analysing and reporting experimental data, and by considering case studies.

Availability

Session 2 (60)
On Campus
Wagga Wagga Campus
Online
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: ASC473. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Postgraduate students only.

Assumed Knowledge

A sound knowledge of animal physiology, biochemistry and general animal nutrition is expected.  Students without this prior knowledge are likely to need to complete extra reading.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to estimate stoichiometric parameters for rumen fermentation of roughage and concentrate diets;
  • be able to use feeding standards to calculate the nutrient requirements for maintenance and productive purposes;
  • be able to formulate rations (including least cost rations) to meet the nutrient requirements for maintenance and production purposes (such as the production of meat, milk or wool);
  • be able to recognise and describe the interactions between ruminant nutrition, health and production;
  • be able to develop appropriate strategies for the management and prevention of nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disease in ruminants; and
  • be able to apply critical thinking and an evidence-based approach to ruminant nutrition by analysing and reporting experimental data, and by considering case studies.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Rumen stoichiometry;
  • Application of feeding standards for ruminant maintenance and production;
  • Traditional and non-conventional feeds for ruminant production;
  • Ruminant production from pastures:
  • - Pasture selection and management
  • - Forage conservation
  • - Poisonous plants
  • - Determining feed intake under grazing conditions
  • - Feed year budgeting
  • Supplementary and drought feeding strategies:
  • - Feeds and feeding management
  • - Economics of these strategies
  • Nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disease in ruminants.

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of ASC473 in Session 2 2020. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Microbial and bypass nutrients
20
2
Literature review
20
3
Mineral nutrition
20
4
Final exam
40

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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