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ANSC 461 & AFNS 561 (Fall 2020) Ruminant Digestion, Metabolism, and Nutrition
Description: Integration of theory and practical concepts in ruminant nutrition, digestion and metabolism through topics such as energy flow in ruminants, protein systems and net feed efficiency. Laboratories will involve formulation of rations for various physiological states of beef and dairy cattle, economical rations, feed mixes, protein systems (degradable and undegradable protein systems) and net feed efficiency formulations.
Prerequisite: ANSC 260 or *3 NUTR. Co-requisite: ANSC 311.
Instructors: Anne Laarman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor (course coordinator) E-mail: [email protected]
Please use « ANSC 461 » or « AFNS 561 » in subject line
Teaching Assistants: Maddie Bennett [email protected]
Karen Visscher [email protected]
Lectures: 12.30 – 13.50 PM MST on Tuesday and Thursday (Online) 18.30 – 19.50 PM GMT
Laboratories: 14.00 – 16.50 PM on Thursday (Online) 20.00 – 23.00 PM GMT
Course Objectives: 1. To increase knowledge and understanding of ruminant nutrition, digestive physiology and metabolism
2. To develop expertise in ruminant nutrition through ration formulation for specific physiological conditions for both beef and dairy cattle
3. To practice communication and investigative skills using real case studies
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will be able to describe the digestive processes in ruminants, and integrate the role of nutrition, anatomy, and microbiology in nutrient digestion
2. Students will be able to integrate their awareness of risk factors of ruminant diets and integrate them into ruminant diets used on-farm
3. Students will be able to discuss and explain on-farm nutritional challenges.
Required Textbook: None
Course Policy: All course materials including lecture notes and past exams will be posted on eClass.
Work submitted late will lose 25%. Work submitted more than 48 hours after the deadline will not be accepted.
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Letter grades will be assigned to the final distribution of total marks.
Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).
Allocation of Marks:
Item ANSC 461 AFNS 561
Assignments 50% 25%
Presentations 10% 10%
Online Participation 10% 10%
Take-Home Exam 30% 30%
Grant Proposal - 25%
Total 100% 100%
Numerical grades will be converted into letter grades per the following formula
≥ 85% A-, A, A+
≥ 70% B-, B, B+
≥ 60% C-, C, C+
≥ 50% D, D+
< 50% F
Grades are unofficial until approved by the Department and/or Faculty offering the course.
Code of Behavior: The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an
offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
Grant Proposal: Graduate students (AFNS 561) are expected to write a grant proposal on ruminant nutrition using NSERC guidelines & formats. Master’s students will be expected to follow NSERC Discovery guidelines (5 pages), while doctoral students will be expected to write a multi- objective grant (10 pages). Deadlines:
30 Sept: Topic selected and approved 31 Oct: Rough Draft 30 Nov: Peer review 18 Dec: Final submission
3 Lecture and Laboratory Schedule
Subject to change
Lecture Topics Lab Topics*
Sept 1 Introduction & Overview
Sept 3 Unit 1: Gastrointestinal Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology Digestive Anatomy & Physiology Ruminant Microbiology
Fermentation Gut Health
No lab Sept 8
Sept 10 Lab 1: Feeds and Feeding &
Intro to Presentation I Sept 15
Sept 17 Lab 2: DMI & Acidotic Load
Sept 22 Unit 2: Nutrient Metabolism Energy
Protein
Vitamins, Minerals, Water Additives
Sept 24 Lab 3: Work on Presentations
Sept 29
Oct 1 Lab 4: Feeds Database
Oct 6
Oct 8 Lab 5: Presentation I
Oct 13 Unit 3: Beef Nutrition Cow/Calf
Backgrounding Feedlots
Oct 15 Lab 6: Intro to Beef Case Study &
Diet Formulation I Oct 20
Oct 22 Lab 7: Work on Beef Case Study
Oct 27
Oct 29 Lab 8: Presentations – Beef Case Study
Nov 3 Unit 4: Dairy Nutrition Transition Period
Calves & Heifers Lactation
Nov 5 Lab 9: Intro to Dairy Case Study & Diet
Formulation II Nov 17
Nov 19 Lab 10: Work on Case Study
Nov 24
Nov 26 Lab 11: Presentations – Dairy Case Study
Dec 1
Presentation II (3-minute topic)
Dec 3 Presentation II (3-minute topic)
Dec 18 Hand in take-home exam & grant proposal @ 9.00 AM
*For online delivery, a video recording will be used instead of in-person labs. Formulation labs will be done at home on your own computers.