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AEM722

Ruminant Animals

This course introduces students to the world of ruminant animals and their significance in Nigerian agriculture. It covers various aspects including the definition of ruminants, their digestive systems, and different classes such as cattle, sheep, and goats. Students will learn about feeding and breeding management, housing, disease prevention, and the processing and preservation of meat and milk. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful agricultural extension and management practices related to ruminant animals.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
208 hours
Maths
Basic
Content
Theoretical, practical
Practical work
Yes
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

AEM722 · Unit 1: INTRODUCTION TO RUMINANT ANIMALS

Your course materials give you important dates for the early and timely completion and submission of your tutor marked assignments and attending tutorials. Do remember that you are required to submit all your assignments by the stipulated time. You should guard failing behind in your work.

What you should be able to do

  1. Explain the digestive processes in ruminant animals
  2. Classify different breeds of sheep, goats, and cattle
  3. Implement effective feeding and breeding management practices
  4. Construct suitable housing for ruminants
  5. Apply disease prevention and control measures
  6. Process and preserve milk and meat products

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Agricultural Extension Officer
  • Livestock Manager
  • Farm Manager
  • Animal Breeder
  • Dairy Production Manager
Where it is applied
  • Agriculture
  • Livestock Production
  • Dairy Industry
  • Meat Processing
  • Animal Health

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 2: Small Ruminants

    Unit 4: Goats

    Understanding the specific breeds and their adaptations requires careful study and memorization.

  • Module 4: Disease Prevention and Control

    Unit 8: Disease and Parasite of Sheep and Goats

    The unit requires knowledge of disease symptoms, transmission, and control measures, demanding a strong understanding of animal health.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 60 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Ruminant Animals
    • Unit 1: Introduction to Ruminant Animals · 4 hours

      Define ruminant animals and their role in the Nigerian livestock sector.. Understand common terminologies used for cattle, sheep, and goats..

    • Unit 2: Ruminant Animals · 4 hours

      Describe the digestion process in ruminants.. Differentiate between fore-gut and hind-gut digestion..

  2. Week 2Module 2: Small Ruminants
    • Unit 3: Small Ruminants · 4 hours

      Discuss the origin and domestication of sheep and goats.. State the advantages of small ruminants over other ruminants..

  3. Week 3Module 2: Small Ruminants
    • Unit 4: Goats · 4 hours

      Discuss the population and distribution of goats.. Explain the importance of goats in Nigeria..

  4. Week 4Module 3: Feeding and Breeding Management
    • Unit 5: SHEEP / GOATS · 4 hours

      Explain the feeding management of adult sheep and goats.. Describe the breeding management practices for sheep and goats..

  5. Week 5Module 3: Feeding and Breeding Management
    • Unit 6: RUMINANT HOUSING · 4 hours

      Explain the importance of housing for sheep and goats.. Describe the construction of a simple sheep/goat house using local materials..

  6. Week 6Module 4: Disease Prevention and Control
    • Unit 7: MEASURES FOR DISEASE PREVENTION ON A FARM · 4 hours

      Identify signs of good and ill health in ruminants.. Describe general measures for disease prevention on a farm..

  7. Week 7Module 4: Disease Prevention and Control
    • Unit 8: DISEASES AND PARASITES OF SHEEP AND GOATS · 4 hours

      Describe common diseases and parasites affecting sheep and goats.. Explain methods to control disease incidence on a farm..

  8. Week 8Module 5: Cattle Production
    • Unit 9: IMPORTANCE AND CLASSIFICATION OF CATTLE · 4 hours

      Discuss the origin and history of domestication of cattle.. State the importance of cattle in Nigerian agriculture..

  9. Week 9Module 5: Cattle Production
    • Unit 10: CATTLE BREEDS · 4 hours

      Describe Nigerian indigenous breeds of cattle.. Identify dairy and beef breeds found in other parts of the world..

  10. Week 10Module 6: Dairy Management
    • Unit 11: MANAGEMENT OF DIARY COWS · 4 hours

      Explain the management practices for dairy cows from birth to weaning.. Describe the care required during parturition..

  11. Week 11Module 6: Dairy Management
    • Unit 12: MILKING PROCESS · 4 hours

      Explain the milking process for dairy cows.. Identify bad traits in milking cows and their management..

  12. Week 12Module 7: Milk Processing and Preservation
    • Unit 13: MILK PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION · 4 hours

      Define milk and its properties.. Describe different milk processing and preservation methods..

  13. Week 13Module 8: Beef Cattle Management
    • Unit 14: MANAGEMENT OF BEE CATTLE · 4 hours

      Describe the management of beef cattle.. Explain range bull management and cow-calf programs..

    • Unit 15: DISEASE AND PARASITES OF CATTLE · 4 hours

      Describe common diseases and parasites of cattle.. Explain disease prevention and control measures for cattle..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create detailed notes summarizing key concepts from each unit.
  • Focus on understanding the differences between ruminant species and their specific needs.
  • Practice identifying common diseases and their symptoms.
  • Develop a study schedule to review all units systematically.
  • Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their solutions.
  • Create diagrams illustrating the ruminant digestive system and its processes.
  • Practice formulating balanced feed rations for different ruminant species.
  • Focus on understanding disease prevention strategies and vaccination schedules.
  • Review milk and meat processing techniques and their importance.
  • Practice answering past examination questions to improve time management and recall.

Questions students ask about this course

What is AEM722 about?

This course introduces students to the world of ruminant animals and their significance in Nigerian agriculture. It covers various aspects including the definition of ruminants, their digestive systems, and different classes such as cattle, sheep, and goats. Students will learn about feeding and breeding management, housing, disease prevention, and the processing and preservation of meat and milk. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful agricultural extension and management practices related to ruminant animals.

How many units does AEM722 have?

AEM722, Ruminant Animals, has 15 units across 1 module, over 117 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is AEM722?

AEM722 carries 2 credit units, at 700 level in Agricultural Sciences.

Is AEM722 hard?

AEM722 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and practical work, and it has a practical component.

How long does AEM722 take to study?

About 208 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.

How is AEM722 assessed?

AEM722 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with AEM722?

Agricultural Extension Officer, Livestock Manager, Farm Manager, Animal Breeder and Dairy Production Manager.

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