Course: Animal Husbandry in Organic Farming

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Course title Animal Husbandry in Organic Farming
Course code KZVE/AHOF
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Practice
Level of course Master
Year of study 2
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Havrdová Nikola, Ing. Ph.D.
  • Šoch Miloslav, prof. Ing. CSc., dr. h. c.
  • Beran Jan, doc. Ing. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Principles of animal husbandry in an organic farming system, including legislation. 2. Conditions for conversion from conventional breeding. Philosophy and ethics of animal husbandry in organic farming conditions. 3. Biological and ethological requirements of animals for housing systems. 4. Suitability of breeds for organic farming. 5. Specifics of nutrition of individual types of farm animals in terms of natural needs. 6. Utility, longevity and health of animals. 7. Grazing and the ecological significance of grazing in maintaining and creating the landscape. 8. Natural methods of cattle breeding from the point of view of their welfare. 9. Natural methods of sheep and goat breeding from the point of view of their welfare. 10. Natural methods of horse breeding from the point of view of their welfare. 11. Natural methods of pig and poultry breeding from the point of view of their welfare. 12. Economics of animal breeding in organic farming. 13. Organic products, organic food, their finalization, certification, marketing. 14. Credit week.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Work with multi-media resources (texts, internet, IT technologies), Individual tutoring
  • Preparation for exam - 90 hours per semester
  • Class attendance - 39 hours per semester
  • Semestral paper - 11 hours per semester
  • Preparation for credit - 10 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The aim of the subject is to familiarize students with philosophical, biological and ethological aspects of organic livestock husbandry system as a producent of organic food, enviromental protection and ecological stability of the landscape. The main focus is put on animal husbandry systems that meet the natural requirements of animals, husbandry ethics and their welfare, with the aim of achieving optimal performace and high longevity of animals.
Students will gain specific knowledge about individual species of farm animals rearing under the organic farming conditions.
Prerequisites
The basic knowledge of individual livestock species rearing.

Assessment methods and criteria
Combined exam, Seminar work

Active pariticipation in teaching
Recommended literature
  • Zákon o ekologickém zemědělství v platném znění.
  • Hulsen, J. Cow signals. Profi Press Praha, 2007. ISBN 978-80-86726-44-1.
  • Kolacz, R. et al. Higiena i dobrostan zwierat. Wydawvictwo Uniwersitetu przyrodniczegowe Wroclaviu, 2019. ISBN 978-83-7717-319-0.
  • ŠARAPATKA, Bořivoj a Jiří URBAN. Organic agriculture.. Prague: IAEI, 2009. ISBN 9788086671697.
  • Vaarst M. et al. Animal Health and Welfare in Organic Agriculture.. London, CABI Publishing, 2004.
  • Webster, J. Animal Welfare: Cool Eye Towards Eden. Wiley-Blackwell, 1995. ISBN 978-0-632-03928-9.
  • Willmer, P. et al. Enviromental Physiology of Animals. Blackwell Publishing, United Kingdom, 2005. ISBN 1-4051-0724-3.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester