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ANP509Agricultural Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Ruminant Animal Production

This course introduces students to the principles of ruminant animal production, focusing on the importance of ruminants in the Nigerian livestock sector. It covers digestion, classification, feeding, breeding, management, housing, disease prevention, and processing of ruminant animals. Students will learn about various classes and breeds of ruminants, including sheep, goats, and cattle, and gain practical knowledge for successful animal husbandry and agricultural extension.

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25h
Study Time
13
Weeks
2h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Ruminant AnimalsAnimal ProductionLivestock ManagementCattle BreedsSmall Ruminants

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Ruminant Digestion

2

Small Ruminant Breeds

3

Goat Management

4

Sheep and Goat Feeding

5

Disease Prevention

6

Cattle Classification

7

Dairy Cow Management

8

Milk Processing

9

Beef Cattle Management

Total Topics9 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Agricultural Extension Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Livestock Farm Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Animal Nutritionist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Veterinary Technician

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agribusiness Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Livestock FarmingDairy IndustryMeat ProcessingAgricultural ConsultingAnimal Feed Production

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction to Ruminant Animals

3h

Unit 1: Introduction to Ruminant Animals

1.5 study hours
  • •Define ruminant animals and their unique digestive system.
  • •Differentiate ruminants from other livestock classes.
  • •Explain the role of ruminants in Nigerian agriculture.

Unit 2: Digestion in Ruminant

1.5 study hours
  • •Describe the digestion process in ruminants.
  • •Explain carbohydrate and protein digestion in the rumen.
  • •Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of ruminant digestion.
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction to Ruminant Animals

2h

Unit 3: Small Ruminants

2 study hours
  • •Trace the origin and domestication of sheep and goats.
  • •State the advantages of small ruminants over other ruminants.
  • •Describe the classification of sheep and goats.
Week
3

Module 1: Introduction to Ruminant Animals

2h

Unit 4: Goats

2 study hours
  • •Explain the population and distribution of goats.
  • •State the importance of goats in Nigeria.
  • •Discuss the Nigerian indigenous goat breeds.
Week
4

Module 1: Introduction to Ruminant Animals

3h

Unit 5: Feeding and Breeding Management of Sheep and Goats

3 study hours
  • •Discuss feeding practices for different classes of sheep and goats.
  • •Explain flushing and steaming up in small ruminants.
  • •Describe the management of breeding flocks and young animals.
Week
5

Module 2: Small Ruminant Housing and Disease Prevention

3h

Unit 1: Small Ruminant Housing

3 study hours
  • •Justify the need for housing small ruminants.
  • •Construct a simple sheep/goat house using local materials.
  • •Discuss the use of various sections of a sheep/goat house.
Week
6

Module 2: Small Ruminant Housing and Disease Prevention

2h

Unit 2: Measures for Disease Prevention

2 study hours
  • •Identify signs of good and ill health in animals.
  • •Discuss measures to reduce disease outbreaks on a farm.
Week
7

Module 2: Small Ruminant Housing and Disease Prevention

3h

Unit 3: Disease and Parasite of Sheep and Goats

3 study hours
  • •Classify diseases according to their mode of spread.
  • •Identify major diseases and parasites affecting sheep and goats.
  • •Discuss how to control diseases and parasites on the farm.
Week
8

Module 2: Small Ruminant Housing and Disease Prevention

2h

Unit 4: Importance and Classification of Cattle

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the origin and history of domestication of cattle.
  • •State the importance of cattle in the Nigerian economy.
  • •Describe the criteria used for classifying cattle.
Week
9

Module 2: Small Ruminant Housing and Disease Prevention

2h

Unit 5: Cattle Breeds

2 study hours
  • •Describe Nigerian indigenous breeds of cattle.
  • •Identify dairy and beef breeds from other parts of the world.
Week
10

Module 3: Dairy and Beef Cattle Management

3h

Unit 1: Management of Dairy Cows

3 study hours
  • •Discuss how to care for a calf from birth to weaning.
  • •Explain how to adequately feed a lactating dairy cow.
  • •State management practices for safe parturition.
Week
11

Module 3: Dairy and Beef Cattle Management

2h

Unit 2: Milking Process

2 study hours
  • •Discuss how to manage a milking cow.
  • •List different milking methods.
  • •Identify and cull animals with bad milking traits.
Week
12

Module 3: Dairy and Beef Cattle Management

2h

Unit 3: Milk Processing and Preservation

2 study hours
  • •List the properties of milk.
  • •Explain reasons for processing milk.
  • •Discuss different processing methods.
Week
13

Module 3: Dairy and Beef Cattle Management

4h

Unit 4: Management of Beef Cattle

3 study hours
  • •State the importance of beef cattle to the economy.
  • •Explain skills required for range bull and cow-calf programs.
  • •Describe general herd management practices.

Unit 5: Disease and Parasites of Cattle

1 study hours
  • •Define disease and parasites.
  • •Discuss common diseases and parasites of cattle.
  • •Explain symptoms and control measures.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review the unique digestive system of ruminants (Units 1-2) and create diagrams to illustrate the process.

2

Focus on the classification and characteristics of different breeds of sheep, goats, and cattle (Units 3-5).

3

Practice formulating balanced feed rations for different classes of ruminants based on their nutritional needs (Module 1).

4

Study disease prevention and control measures (Module 2) and create a checklist for farm management.

5

Understand the steps involved in milk processing and preservation (Module 3) and their importance for food safety.

6

Review the management practices for dairy and beef cattle (Module 3) and their impact on productivity.

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