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ANSC20050

Academic Year 2025/2026

Principles of Dairy Production (ANSC20050)

Subject:
Animal Science
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Karina Pierce
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The specific components addressed in this module include: Sustainable dairy production systems, with a focus on environmental, economic and social sustainability; the dairy industry nationally and internationally - current position and future trends; seasonality of production, product quality and implications for processing and marketing. Principles of dairy production and management practices as they relate to sustainable production systems, especially in relation to nutrition/feeding, breeding, reproduction. Costs and returns and factors affecting profitability will also be addressed. Each student is required to complete a project (library based) that will enable them to more closely examine and analyse a particular aspect of dairy production and will facilitate further development of their ICT Information/ Communication/Technology and inter-personal skills.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module the students should be able to: Outline the key facts about the dairy enterprise and industry and be able to describe various production systems. Explain systems of sustainable dairy production in terms of the applications of key principles, concepts and ideas. Analyse systems of production both from the biological/technical and financial perspectives, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and make recommendations for remedial action as appropriate. Outline the sources of reliable information relevant to each enterprise, including the role of the Irish research organisations. Evaluate, organise and present information from a variety of sources.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Practical

4
Specified Learning Activities

24
Autonomous Student Learning

56
Total

108

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Content for this module will be delivered through lectures and also involves an individual project (literature review).

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): MCQ Exam Week 6 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Exam (In-person): MCQ Exam Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Individual Project: The project will involve a literature review on a factor affecting profitability in Irish dairy production. Week 12 Graded No
50
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Mr Michael Doran Tutor
Dr Nicholas Ryan Tutor
Dr Stafford Vigors Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Field Trip Offering 1 Week(s) - 28 Fri 10:00 - 12:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
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