Introduction
 The
Ruminant Nutrition Program is divided into ten modules, with each module to be
completed within a month.
Each
module will consist of the following: - Prepared
notes to provide an overview of the topic
- Journal
articles examining aspects of the topic in more detail
- Slides
and videos of the subject matter where appropriate
- One
problem solving exercise
- One
essay style question
- One
case study presentation with the option of an additional essay question if appropriate
material is not available.
The
problem solving exercise will not require the use of nutritional software but
it is recommended that such software be used in the presentation of case studies
if the participant intends to use such software subsequent to completing the course. Owing
to the variation in case load likely to be encountered by program participants,
submission of case studies is provided as an assignment option at the end of each
module. An alternative assignment question will be provided for participants who
do not have an appropriate case of their own. At
completion of the Distance Education Ruminant Nutrition Program you can expect
to have: - Completed
ten applied nutrition problem solving exercises
- Completed
at least ten essay style questions
- Presented
up to ten case studies of your own
Written
feedback will be provided on the material assessed at the end of each module.
There will also
be two workshops conducted during the course, each of one day duration. The workshops
will be run on-farm and will focus on the practical application in the field of
the topics covered in the modules. At
completion of the Ruminant Nutrition course you should: - Understand
the basic principles of feeding ruminants for production of meat, milk and fibre
- Have knowledge
of the merits of a range of feedstuffs and pasture
- Be
able to diagnose and correct nutritional problems with various classes of cattle
and sheep
- Be able
to assess the standard of nutritional management of a given enterprise
- Be able to assess diets
and have a basic understanding of ration formulation
Timetable
for Modules
| Modules | You
will receive modules in: | Modules
to be received from you by Post Graduate Foundation for assessment |
| Module 1 | 1st
week of February | End
of February | | Module
2 | 1st week of
March | End of
March | | Module
3 | 1st
week of April | End
of April | | Module
4 | 1st week of
May | End of May |
| Module 5 | 1st
week of June | End
of June | | Module
6 | 1st week of
July | End of
July | | Module
7 | 1st week of
August | End of
August | | Module
8 | 1st week of
September | End
of September | | Module
9 | 1st week of
October | End
of October | | Module
10 | 1st week
of November | End
of November |
Contents
of Modules
| Month | Topics |
| February | Rearing
Preruminants and Managing the Transition to Ruminant
Pre-ruminant anatomy
and physiology
Rumen development
Nutrient requirements of the calf - intake
Nutrient requirements of the calf - energy
Nutrient requirements of the calf
- protein
Nutrient requirements of the calf - vitamins and minerals
Colostrum
feeding and storage
Feeding systems
Nutritional diarrhoea
Management
of diarrhoea
Effective calf feeding | | March | Physiology
of the Rumen, Ruminant Growth and Lactation
Rumen microbial flora
Rumen homeostasis
Movement of digesta through the forestomachs
Functional
disease of the ruminant gastrointestinal tract
General principles of ruminant
growth and their application to target markets
Milk secretion |
| April | Pasture
and Crop Growth and Utilisation
Limits to plant growth
Limits to animal
intake
Means of maximising pasture growth
Means of maximising pasture
intake
Means of maximising pasture quality
Fodder conservation
Matching
pasture characteristics to animal requirements
Measuring pasture quantity
and quality and fodder budgeting | | May | Feed
Processing and Feedstuffs
Feed processing methods
Appropriate processing
of grains and forage
Characteristics of common pastures
Fermentation patterns
of common energy sources
Characteristics of nitrogen/protein sources
Constraints
to use of certain feedstuffs | | June | The
Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Metabolic Diseases
Hypomagnesaemia
Hypocalcaemia
Hypophosphataemia
Ketosis | | July | The
Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Chronic Nutritional
Deficiencies and
Excesses
Phosphorous and calcium
Sodium
Copper
Zinc
Cobalt
Selenium
Iron
Manganese | | August | Systems
for Describing Ruminant Nutrient Requirements and Calculation of the Nutrient
Requirements of Ruminants in the Field
Description of energy
Description
of protein
Quantification of the variables involved in intake
Long hand
calculation of energy and protein requirements
Field estimates of energy requirements
The use of software in ration formulation and supplement/complement formulation |
| September | Nutritional
Management of the Beef/Sheep Enterprise
Matching animal requirements to
nutrient supply timing
of calving/lambing
timing
of weaning
managing
the periparturient period
effects
on fodder utilisation of animal grazing patterns, conservation and supplementary/complementary
feeding Strategies
for dealing with drought early
weaning
agistment
destocking
supplementary
feeding and feeding for production Nutritional
Management of Reproduction management
of bulls/rams and cows/ewes for high pregnancy rates
minimising
the risk of dystocia Specific
enterprise requirements meeting
target specifications and timing with beef and lamb
balancing
staple strength against wool production per hectare
monitoring
enterprise performance | | October | Nutritional
Management of the Dairy Enterprise
Entry weight and age of heifers
Target condition score at calving and dry off
Homeorhesis of the periparturient
period
Matching supplementary feeds to pasture intake
Design and delivery
of total mixed rations
Feed related disorders
Manipulation of milk components
The relationship between nutritional management and reproductive performance
Monitoring performance
Routine farm visit
Evaluation of the farm performing
below expectation
General requirements of high producing dairy cows |
| November | Nutritional
Management of the Feedlot
Induction/adaptation
Feed processing and
mixing
Bunk management
Feed related diseases
Practical feeding of
energy sources other than grains
Blending complementary fermentation patterns
The importance of protein
Monitoring performance
Requirements of high
performance feedlot cattle |
Reading
List
Recommended Texts 1.
Feeding Standards for Australian Livestock - Ruminants, 1994
Standing
Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management, Ruminants
Subcommittee
Corbett, J.L. (convenor)
2.
Nutrition of Dairy Cattle, 1987
Lean, I.J.
University of Sydney,
Post Graduate Foundation in Veterinary Science Additional
Reading
1.
Feeding Concentrates - Supplements for Dairy Cows, 1993
Kellaway, R. and
Porta, S.
Agmedia/Dairy Research and Development Corporation
Recommended
Journals 1.
Journal of Animal Science
2. Journal of Dairy Science
Publications
can be purchased from:
www.amazon.com
OR
PVP Publications,
PO Box 112, Seaforth NSW 2092 and
67 Peacock
Street, Seaforth NSW 2092
Tel & Fax: (02) 9948 4605 |
Nutritional
Software The
following programs are suggested for course participants who intend to involve
themselves in formulation of rations and/or supplementary feeds: 1.
CamBeef
2. CamDairy These
are available from Camden Animal Management Software
Tel: (02) 4651 2347 Fax:
(02) 4651 2370 3.
Grazfeed This
is available from Horizon Technology
Tel: (02) 9805 1941 These
programs are all based on the Feeding Standards for Australian Livestock - Ruminants,
and are therefore most appropriate for Australian conditions.
Technical requirements for online study
Technical requirements for online study WebCT is a software program developed in Canada which provides a platform and a set of web course teaching tools for online learning. As an introduction to the online learning environment The Post Graduate Foundation in Veterinary Science is using this platform to give you access to your course online. This medium will allow you to access your course and participate in online discussions with other participants and your tutor via a computer, a modem and a web browser, such as Netscape or Internet Explorer.
To optimise your use of WebCT for online learning we recommend the following specifications: http://www.pgf.edu.au/disted/index.cfm#technical
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