LZT5815 - Forage quality and conservation for animals - Graduate Level (2025)

https://youtu.be/OtbzjiQK7-s

Objectives: 

Feed quality and conservation for animals became a key step of integration in between Ruminant Nutrition and Forage Science and Pastures. In this program conservation is not focused exclusively on the biochemistry of the process but also to offer a compreenhensive glance of overall integration of animal production systems, food security, microbiome and volatilome and energy balance from the conservation strategies addopted for forages, grains and coproducts. Beyond that, forage conservation is dealt as a tool for bioenergy surplus. Strategies to modify fermentation routes in silages or either dehydration kinetics in hay processes are analyzed closely.

Groups: Students will be divided into groups accordingly 

Format: classes, monday morning (09h00 - 12h00) BSB time, will be initiated by the students presentation followed by the instructor on strategically defined subjects.  The students presentation will be made by one member of the group sorted immediately before start it, for about 60 minutes, using audiovisual resources, such as: ppt or similiar. Then the discussion will be stimulated mediated by the instructor, and supported by the students responsible for the presentation. The instructor will indicate key articles to be read, weekly, and previously to the scheduled class. All subjects and most of the key articles are already available in the e-disciplinas platform. Each student will grade all the presentations including their own and send grades in a proper Google Form weekly.

Grading system: 

Class presentation: 2 for each group (0-10 points), weight 20% each;

Group take home referata: 4 one page report for each group, weekly, based on group meetings 14h00 - 18h00 (0-10 points),  (thinking design, kanvas, etc), scientifc published article analysis related with the week subject offered by instructor. Google Form delivery by 23:59 Monday due date, 10,0% each

Workshop presentation: on June 9th morning. Group will provide the title on May 2nd., weight 20%.

Final grade:

A> 900;

B - 750-900;

C - 600-750;

R <600

March 10 - Innovation and research
March 17 - Quality as a concept
March 24 - Kinetics of silage fermentation
April 07 - Silage microbiology and additives 
April 14 - On-farm forage inventory and measuring silage density (Group 1)
May 05 - Aerobic stability in silages (Group 2)
May 12 - Grain type silages (Group 3)
May 12 - Take home referata 1 
May 19 - Silo lining and sealing strategies (Group 2)
May 19 - Take home referata 2
May 26 - Hay and pre-wilted silages (Group 3)
May 26 - Take home referata 3
June 02 - Conservation of coproducts and potential increase in nutritive value (Group 1)
June 02 - Take home referata 4
June 09 - Workshop (All groups)

Choose one of the scientific articles, analyze the methodology approach, the discussion of results and criticize. What might be done to improve this article? Statistical design is appropriate?  Do you agree with the conclusions?

Choose one of the scientific articles, analyze the methodology approach, the discussion of results and criticize. What might be done to improve this article? Statistical design is appropriate?  Do you agree with the conclusions?

Choose one of the scientific articles, analyze the methodology approach, the discussion of results and criticize. What might be done to improve this article? Statistical design is appropriate?  Do you agree with the conclusions?

Choose one of the scientific articles, analyze the methodology approach, the discussion of results and criticize. What might be done to improve this article? Statistical design is appropriate?  Do you agree with the conclusions?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xusEej5JnI&feature=youtu.be