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This course will investigate the concepts driving current food production science (population growth, urbanisation, emerging affluence, resource constraints, and underlying biological limits), with a particular emphasis on livestock production. Each of the major food animal species (dairy, swine, beef, and poultry) will be discussed in terms of their universal life cycles, production constraints, and emerging societal issues.
We will discuss some difficult and important questions throughout the course, such as :
- What are the major health benefits and potential concerns associated with the production and consumption of animal products?
- How does animal production affect resource efficiency and the environment?
- Can production costs be reduced to meet growing global demand for animal products while maintaining animal and consumer health and safety?
- What are the various kinds of animal food production systems?
Myths and misconceptions about animal food systems will be addressed. We'll also take a close look at some of the global issues, problems, and challenges in these food systems that scientists, farmers, and veterinarians are working together to solve.
Several experts from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine who are deeply involved in the study and advancement of animal production systems will deliver lectures. The course is designed for students who want to gain a better understanding of animal food systems as well as those who have never been to an animal farm but want to learn more about where some of our food comes from and issues surrounding sustainability.
Syllabus :
1. Population Growth and Global Animal Industries
- Feeding the World (About This Course)
- Global Food Security: What's the Status?
- What About Livestock Systems?
- What are the Ethical Issues?
- Copy of What are the Ethical Issues?
- Mega Trends in Animal Production
- Demand for Animal Products
2. Issues Surrounding Animal Production
- "Livestock's Long Shadow"
- "Long Shadow - Concerns"
- Introduction to Animal Welfare
- Land Use: Animal Feeding Systems and Major Food/Feed Crops
- Water: The Essential Resource for the Food Industry
3. Animal Feeds and the Environment
- What are Concentrates and Proteins?
- What are Roughages?
- Feed Analysis
- Nutrient Concentration in Modern Animal Systems
- Nitrogen (N) in Food Production
- The N/P Ratio Dilemma
- Animal Manure: Waste or Resource
- Feeding Management: Nutrient Source Control
- Food Waste
4. General Animal Production, Efficiency and Food Safety
- Animal Production Unit and Marginal Production
- Food Safety, Elements of Concern - The Big Picture
- Antibiotic Use in Livestock
- Growth Promotion vs. Disease Prevention
- Trends in Antibiotic Use
- Rinderpest
- Challenges of Food Security in the Developing World
5. Dairy Production
- Life Production Cycle of the Dairy Cow
- Resource Use in Dairy Production
- Example of Yield Impact on Water Use (Dairy)
- Housing Systems in Dairy Production
- Hand Milking to Robotics
- Industry Trends in Dairy Production
- Bovine Somatotropin BST
- Are There Antibiotics in Milk?
- Milk Safety in the U.S.
6. Swine Production
- The Life Cycle of a Market Hog
- The Life Cycle of a Mother Sow
- Why are Most Pigs Raised Indoors?
- Sow Housing and Welfare
7. Poultry Production
- Poultry Production Systems
- The U.S. Poultry Industry
- Welfare/Husbandry Emerging Issues
- Avian Influenza
8. Beef Production
- The Beef Cow Life Cycle
- United States Beef Industry
- U.S. Beef Industry - Animal Health
- Implant Technology in Beef Production
- International Beef Industry
