250-307 Animal Health, Management & Welfare 3

Students completing this subject should: understand the concepts of epidemiology; be aware of factors which influence patterns of disease; be familiar with the techniques of data acquisition and analysis and the uses and limitations of statistical information; be able to undertake epidemiological investigations of animal disease outbreaks; be able to provide economic reasoning in decision making when dealing with animal production systems; be able to prepare a budget, for a proposed change to a business; understand various financial analytical methods that aid business financial decision-making including gross margins, cash flow budgets, partial budgets and comparative analysis (bench-marking); be able to design a simple breeding program for animals; understand the principles of selection for genetic improvement in various animal production systems; be able to advise on the use of reproductive technologies to improve the rate of genetic gain; understand the importance of pastures in profitable grazing systems; be aware of strategies to upgrade pasture production and pasture quality; be competent at planning and implementing grazing management strategies; understand the basics of intensive fish farming; further develop computer skills and skills in integrating material from previous subjects.

Topics include epidemiology, economics, genetics, pasture management and fish farming. Epidemiology includes factors that influence patterns of disease; techniques of data acquisition and analysis, and the uses and limitations of statistical information; and epidemiological investigations of animal disease outbreaks. Economics includes economic reasoning in decision-making with animal production systems; preparing a farm budget, financial analytical methods that aid business financial decision-making including gross margins, enterprise analysis, cash flow budgets, partial budgets and comparative analysis (benchmarking). Genetics includes understanding the principles of selection for genetic improvement in various animal productions systems; and the use of reproductive technologies to improve the rate of genetic gain. Pasture management includes understanding the importance of pastures in profitable grazing systems; strategies to upgrade pasture production and pasture quality; and planning and implementing grazing management strategies. Fish farming includes the basics of intensive fish farming.

Students completing this subject should:

• be familiar with the techniques of data acquisition and analysis and the uses and limitations of statistical information;

• be able to critically analyse scientific papers and reports;

• have skills in writing a scientific paper or report;

• be competent in objective and systematic approaches to decision making; and

• have increased ability to integrate and apply knowledge from a wide range of disciplines.

A 2-hour written examination at the end of semester (90%) and assessment of practical exercises (10%).