VET30350 Practical and applied animal nutrition

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module is designed to integrate the fundamental aspects of digestive tract anatomy, and the physiology and biochemistry of digestion and metabolism with up to date nutritional recommendations for farm and companion animals. The module describes the basic dietary nutrients, common dietary characteristics including, chemical composition and the nutrient requirements of several animal species. Emphasis is placed on dietary evaluation and nutrient requirements for the prevention of disease. Several case studies of animal nutrition related health problems are presented and problem solving tutorials are used to teach basic dietary evaluation.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:Evaluate dietary adequacy in relation to the health of the animal.Describe the role played by organic and inorganic nutrients in animal health.Evaluate diets for farm and companion animals that are specific to physiological stage or level of athletic performance.Explain the difference between common feedstuffs for farm and companion animals.Interpret feed analysis and feed labels.Explain how appropriate nutrition contributes to the health status of an animal.

Indicative Module Content:

Practical and Applied Animal Nutrition (VET30350)

Introduction:
This module is designed to integrate the fundamental aspects of digestion and metabolism with up to date nutritional recommendations for farm and companion animals. The module describes the basic dietary nutrients, common dietary characteristics and a range of feeds. The nutrient requirements of several animal species are considered. Emphasis is placed on dietary evaluation and nutrient requirements for production or performance and prevention of disease.
Learning objectives:
On successful completion of these modules students should be able to:
• Evaluate dietary adequacy in relation to animal requirements.
• Describe the role played by organic and inorganic nutrients in animal health.
• Understand how animal requirements are influenced by physiological stage or level of athletic performance.
• Explain the difference between common feedstuffs for both farm and companion animals.
• Interpret feed analysis and feed labels.
• Explain how appropriate nutrition contributes to the health status of an animal.



Lecture shcedule:
Lecture 1. Module outline; farmed versus companion animals; nutrient requirements i) water and ii) carbohydrates iii) Lipids and iii) Protein
Lecture 2. Common methods of analysis for animal feeds. Diet and nutrient digestibility, total tract and compartmental digestibility indirect measurement of digestibility
Lecture 3: Concentrate ingredients used in farm animal diets. Grassland and conserved forages, root crops and tubers.
Lecture 4: Energy in animal nutrition, why energy is used in nutrition, dietary energy utilisation and animal requirements. Protein in animal nutrition, monogastric and ruminant protein digestion and metaboilism, animal requirements for protein
Lecture 5: Minerals and vitamins: Voluntary feed intake and appetite
Lecture 6:: Applied ruminant nutrition (dairy model): pattern of
nutrient requirement and supply in dairy cows; designing diets and feeding
systems; grazing dairy cows
Lecture 7: Applied ruminant nutrition (dairy model) the rumen and
nutrient requirements for a healthy rumen, feeding dry and early lactation
cows
Lecture 8: Applied equine nutrition, nutrient requirements, concentrate
and roughage feeds.
Lecture 9: Applied equine nutrition: Grassland management nutrient
requirements for different physiological stages
Lecture 10:.Applied canine nutrition nutrient requirements homemade diet, commercial feeds, feed management, nutrition problems of dogs
Lecture 11: Applied canine nutrition continued
Lecture 12: Applied feline nutrition: nutrient requirements
practical feeding of cats and kittens; nutrition problems of cats


All Lectures Tuesday Morning 8am to 9:50am.

**Students should consult the Thursday and Friday Timetable within module information for the practical and tutorial schedule.**

Practical 1 NP1 1 FM VG: Body condition scoring in dairy, equine, dogs. Lyons Farm
Practical NP2 FM VG: Dry concentrate feedstuffs, forage analysis and feed label interpretation. Belfield
Problem Solving NT1 FM: Sheep nutrition
Problem Solving NT2 VG: Equine nutrition
Problem Solving NT3 FM: Dairy nutrition
Problem Solving NT4 VG: Dog/Cat nutrition
Revision Tutorial NT5 FM
Revision Tutorial NT6 VG

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Tutorial

20

Practical

8

Specified Learning Activities

20

Autonomous Student Learning

60

Total

108

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures 24 hrs
Practicals 6 hrs
Tutorials 12 hrs 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students require a strong grounding in biological sciences.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
VET10080 - Cell and Whole Body Metabolism, VET10140 - Phys/ Bio of Dig of Dom Ani

Co-requisite:
VET30400 - Digestive physiol & metabolism


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: 2 hrs Assessment
Knowledge based questions and problem solving questions
2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Other No

80

Multiple Choice Questionnaire: End of semester MCQ
Covering second half of all module content
Week 11 n/a Other No

10

Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Mid-term MCQ
all of module material for first half of module
Week 6 n/a Other No

10


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

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be delivered in lectures as to the performance of the group in the mid semester MCQ

Animal Nutrition McDonald et al sixth edition
Name Role
Mr Maurice Kinsella Tutor