Dairy Cattle Production

Basic knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology.

Basic knowledge of fodder and pasture production.

Classical exposition of the dairy production science, supported by power point presentations, videos, and other. Practical classes at Quinta da Cioga, a dairy farm with which ESAC maintains a cooperation protocol so that students can have dairy production training.

The main outcome of this curricular unit is to provide students with the fundamental principles of dairy cattle production:
1- To know the socio-economic conjuncture that affect milk production.
2- To assess determinant factors for milk quality.
3- Understand the main determinants for efficient milk production.
4- To be proficient in several management practices of a dairy farm.

1-Main political, legal and structural constraints for dairy farms in Portugal.
2-Main factors that affect milk quality, from synthesis to industry arrival and payment to the producer.
3-Correct practices in terms of feeding, housing, milking, health, reproduction and genetical improvement.
4-Replacement of the herd, calf and heifers rearing.
5-Dairy production practices, milking, body condition assessment, feeding, locomotion evaluation, heat detection, calf rearing.

Continuous assessment (CA):

-Theoretical test (T) and practical report (R) on visits to the dairy farm. This report may be replaced by a monograph (M) on a topic suggested by the lecturer.

Final mark in continuous assessment:

Final mark CA = 0.7 T + 0.3 R or Final mark = 0.7 T+ 0.3 M

In Examination (E):

-Theoretical test (T) and Practical oral (O). If the R or M grade is higher than 0.75, it may replace the oral assessment.

Final Grade E = 0.7 T + 0.3 O

NAO