ECTS credits ECTS credits: 4.5
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 74.25 Hours of tutorials: 2.25 Expository Class: 18 EEES Clinics: 18 Total: 112.5
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Science
Areas: Animal production
Center Faculty of Veterinary Science
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable
Theoretical knowledge:
Introduce the basic terminology used in the discipline and in the area of Animal Production of ruminants.
Transmit to the student the coordination and application of physiological knowledge and needs of ruminant animals and, therefore, the most suitable facilities, environmental conditions and management so that their breeding and exploitation make possible the viability and profitability of the livestock company.
Skills:
Offer sufficient information infrastructure so that the future veterinarian can respond to the current demands of livestock farmers, aimed at improving the quality of livestock products obtained in a context of promoting animal welfare and reducing environmental impact.
Attitudes:
Provide the student with an integrative concept of the different disciplines of Animal Production, to enhance the formation of a mentality in which knowledge of the rural environment and its protection guide their professional conduct.
Develop a critical and non-dogmatic attitude in the ability to diagnose and propose solutions to specific situations on livestock farms and advise their owners.
Theoretical program: (24 hours)
It includes the study of each of the most prominent subsectors of the ruminant species of livestock production: dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep and goats. In each of these subsectors, the breeds used and their aptitudes are considered; censuses and productions; general characteristics of the production cycles, accommodation, feeding management, reproduction, etc., with an analysis of the most used reproductive and productive indices.
(1 hour). Introduction to animal production. Economic importance of the sector.
(4 hours). Sheep and goat production.
(2 hours). Breeding cattle
(5 hours). Dairy cattle production.
(2 hours). Facilities
(2 hours). The milking system
(2 hours). Beef production.
(1 hour). Organic livestock.
(3 hours). Environmental impact of animal production.
(2 hours). Digitalization of livestock production.
Practical program (26 hours)
Active visit 1: (Clinical practice C1). Dairy cattle farm. Campus Terra Farm (4 hours)
Active visit 2: (Clinical practice C2). Rearing heifers center (4 hours)
Active visit 3: (Clinical practice C3). Beef cattle farm. (4 hours)
Active visit 4: (Clinical practice C4). Sheep/goat farm. (4 hours)
Computer practice OR1: Dairy cattle (3 hours 30 minutes)
Computer practice OR2: Beef cattle (3 hours 30 minutes)
Computer practice OR3: Sheep and goats (3 hours)
Basic
Caravaca, F.P. et al. 2007. Sistemas ganaderos en el Siglo XXI. Universidad de Sevilla
Caravaca, FP.- 2003.- Bases de la producción animal. SP. Universidad de Sevilla.
Younie, D., Wilkinson, J. M. 2004 Ganadería ecológica. Principios, consejos prácticos, beneficios. Ed. Acribia. Zaragoza
Complementary
Álvarez, P.J. -.2008.- Gestión técnica de granjas de vacuno lechero. P. Univ. León
Philips, C.J.C.- 2003.- Principios de producción bovina. Acribia. Zaragoza.
Daza Andrada, A. 2014.Vacuno de carne con criterios económicos. Editorial Agrícola Española. Madrid
Dodsworth, L-2000 – Sistemas de explotación de ganado vacuno de carne. Ed. Academia SL. León.
ASOPROVAC, MARM – 2007 – Guía de prácticas correctas de higiene: vacuno de cebo. MARM,
Abecia Martínez, A. y Forcada Miranda, F. (2011). Manejo reproductivo en ganado ovino. Ed. Servet
Daza, A.- 2002.- Mejora de la productividad y planificación de las explotaciones ovinas. Ed. Agrícola Española. Madrid.
Sañudo, C. – 2009- Ovinotecnia:producción y economía en la especia ovina. Univ. Zaragoza.
Daza, A.- 2004.- Ganado caprino: produción, alimentación y sanidad. Ed. Agrícola Española. Madrid.
Pardos L., Rodríguez L., Ruiz A., Sánchez M. y Alcalde M.J.. 2014. Manual de gestión técnico económica de explotaciones ovinas y caprinas. Editorial Agrícola Española. Madrid.
CCAE, MARM – 2007 - Guía de prácticas correctas de higiene: caprino de leche y carne. MARM.
The use of both basic and complementary internet resources specified is recommended, in the Bibliography section, as well as that electronic access bibliography available at the USC Library. A BUSC EN LIÑA https://busconline.gal. Also, through portico (http://sfx.bugalicia.org/san/az) and EZproxy (https: // ezbusc), managed by BUGalicia, it will be possible to search for scientific journals and electronic books (with the credentials of the USC). For specific topics, professors may provide open access articles or recommend searching through PubMed or Google Schoolar.
In the teaching material covered in the classes, the specific reference websites will be indicated for each item that requires greater depth for its understanding.
At the end of the academic year students should:
- be able to identify the animal needs in the different productive systems and installations, environmental conditions and the most appropriate management for the breeding and exploitation of productive ruminants in optimal conditions, both from the animal point of view and the point of view of viability, return and growth of the farming enterprise.
- have the capacity of diagnosis and proposal of solutions before concrete situations of farms and advise to the owners of the farms towards an improvement in management and an increase in cattle products quality.
- be used to the acquisition and critical use of bibliographic resources (books, technical journals, databank, Internet websites, etc.).
Skills according to the report of the Veterinary Degree (Santiago de Compostela University):
Generic
(GVUSC)
GVUSC01 Ability to learn and adapt
GVUSC02 Ability for analysis and synthesis
GVUSC03 General knowledge of the work area
GVUSC05 Ability for applying knowledge in practice
Disciplinary
(CEDVUSC)
CEDVUSC03 Breeding, improvement, management and animal welfare
CEDVUSC10 To know the techniques applicable to domestic animals, including those with direct influence on animal and human health
CEDVUSC11 Knowledge of the operating systems basis and optimization of plant and animal production and its impact on the environment
CEDVUSC14 To know the rules and laws of veterinary and animal regulations and trade
Professional
(D1VUSC)
D1VUSC02 Collect and send specimens with their corresponding report
D1VUSC09 Apply basic procedures to ensure proper functioning of the reproductive activity, technological processes and the resolution of the obstetric problems
D1VUSC11 Evaluate and interpret production and health parameters of a group of animals, considering the economic, environmental and welfare concerns, looking for their optimization
D1VUSC15 Advice and management, technical and economic, for veterinary companies in a context of sustainability
D1VUSC17 Perform technical reports related to the veterinary skills
Academic
(CEAVUSC)
CEAVUSC01 Analyze, synthesize, solve problems and make decisions in the veterinary professional fields
CEAVUSC02 Behave ethically in carrying out their responsibilities to the veterinary profession and society
CEAVUSC03 Disclose information obtained during the professional practice of the the vet, fluently, oral and written, with colleagues, authorities and general society
CEAVUSC04 Search and manage information related to the veterinary activity
CEAVUSC08 Be aware of the need to maintain current knowledge, skills and attitudes of professional skills through a lifelong learning process
Transverse
(CTVUSC)
CTVUSC02 Ability to obtain adequate information, diverse and updated by several ways such as bibliographic information and internet and to critically analyze it
CTVUSC03 Ability to develop and present an organized and understandable text
CTVUSC04 Ability to make a public lecture in a clear, coherent and concise way
CTVUSC05 Skill in the use of ICTs
CTVUSC07 Ability to solve problems through the integrated application of knowledge
*Theoretical program:
There will be 24 sessions of 50 minutes duration each. They will be developed in the first quarter according to the schedules approved by the Faculty Board for each academic year.
External collaborators may be invited to give a conference.
*Practical program:
Active visits (4 clinical practices C) 16 hours:
o Active visit: (C1) Dairy cattle farm: Facilities, lots, farm management, milking system. Milking practice
o Active visit: (C2) Raising centre: Facilities, lots, farm management. Colostrum quality practice.
o Active visit: (C3) Beef farm and feedlot: Facilities, lots, farm management.
o Active visit: (C4) Sheep/goat farm: Facilities, lots, farm management.
On each farm the student will be able to observe the production process of each species: the construction characteristics and sizing of the facilities; environmental control; the hygiene, cleanliness and biosafety of the facilities; the general management of the animals carried out by the farm operators, including feeding management; health and prophylaxis programs, etc. In all farms, given their biosafety measures and in compliance with current animal welfare regulations, visits will be made under strict control and without disturbing the animal's habitat, trying to cause the least possible impact on the animal and its environment.
At the end of each practice a continuous evaluation will be carried out.
Computer practices: (3 practices, OR1, OR2 and OR3) 10 hours:
Search and processing of technical information from web pages of interest related to the subject. Technical-economic analysis of cattle, sheep and goat farms in their dual productive capacity. The student will be taught to calculate and interpret the productive/economic parameters of the different species studied.
For the purposes of integrating the Day One Competencies (CD1) into the competency map of the Bachelor's Degree in Veterinary Medicine, to adapt it to the provisions of RD 822/2021, of September 28, which establishes the organization of university education and the quality assurance procedure, as well as to the requirements applied in EAEVE accreditations, the Day One Competencies for this subject are included.
Those applicable to this matter are those indicated below, as described in Annex 2 of the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) 2023 applied by the EAEVE.
https://www.eaeve.org/fileadmin/downloads/SOP/ESEVT_SOP_2023_adopted_by…
1.1 Act in a manner that demonstrates an understanding of the ethical and legal framework within which veterinarians must work, including professional, animal welfare, client, public health, social, and environmental issues.
1.3 Demonstrate basic knowledge of the organization, management, and legislation related to veterinary practice. Understand the economic and emotional context in which the veterinarian operates.
1.10 Understand and apply the principles of One Health to ensure good veterinary clinical practices and research- and evidence-based veterinary medicine.
1.11 Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze evidence, manage incomplete information, manage contingencies, and adapt knowledge and skills to varied scenarios and contexts.
1.16 Obtain an accurate and relevant history from an individual animal or group of animals, their husbandry, and their environment.
1.21 Assess the physical condition, welfare, and nutritional status of an animal or group of animals and advise the client on the principles of husbandry, feeding, reproduction, production, welfare, individual health, herd health, and public health.
1.24 Use basic diagnostic equipment and perform examinations effectively as appropriate, in accordance with good health and safety practices and current regulations. Understand the contribution of digital tools and artificial intelligence in veterinary medicine.
1.29 Recommend and evaluate biosecurity protocols, applying these principles correctly.
For competencies 1.11, 1.16 and 1.21, an assessable learning objective is established, based on their typology of skill and knowledge, assigning the rest of CD1 to the typology of knowledge, where knowledge refers to “knowing about something”, while skill refers to “knowing how to do something specific”.
To achieve this objective, which combines the described competencies, a practical exercise is established consisting of analyzing a typical Dairy Control report from a dairy farm. In this exercise, the student demonstrates having acquired the described skills, to be developed in practice OR1. The three competencies described are assessable in the proposed task:
Skill described in competency 11: Through the evaluation of the report, the student demonstrates their ability to critically analyze the evidence emanating from the proposed case study, being able to manage the information provided and contextualize it.
Skill described in Competency 16: Through the evaluation of the report, the student demonstrates their ability to obtain an accurate and relevant history of the group of animals, their husbandry, and the environment in which their production takes place.
Skill and knowledge described in Competency 21: Through the evaluation of the report, the student demonstrates their ability to assess the nutritional status and metabolic risks to which a group of animals may be subjected, jeopardizing their health and welfare, and to advise the client on the principles of husbandry, feeding, reproduction, production, welfare, and herd health, while interpreting and understanding the limitations of test results (threshold levels related to factors of variation for each item), predictive value, correlation between parameters, etc.).
In practice OR1, a Dairy Control report will be analyzed. This activity will be used to assess the previously described CD1s. This activity consists of a seminar-style activity with a limited group of students. A case study of a typical Dairy Control report will be conducted. The student must prepare a report evaluating the farm's situation and proposing improvement actions, justified based on the available data. To do this, the student must have the necessary prior knowledge, developed in theoretical classes. Explanations of the different items and the correlations between them will be previously covered in the lectures. The learning objective is set at the beginning of the session, so that the student is aware of the prior knowledge necessary to achieve the skills.
The teaching methodology for this activity consists of a prior explanation of the different items appearing in the report, integrating them into the context of livestock production (expository, Socratic method, and case examples). A report template is reviewed, examining its structure and evaluating the data it presents using case analysis methodology. The report diagnoses the farm's situation and its consequences, proposing alternatives based on objective criteria obtained from the case report, and concluding with proposed recommendations for improvement. The rubric to be used in evaluating the work will be provided to the student. From this point on, the student will proceed to write an individualized report on a practical case, which will be used to assess the achievement of the described competencies. To complete the activity, the student will be given access to their notes and the content located in the Virtual Classroom for the course.
Tutorials:
They will fundamentally be face-to-face although virtual tutorials may be scheduled respecting the time slots that appear in the course schedule. A voluntary generic review tutorial may be scheduled prior to the final exam for all students.
The fundamental theoretical contents will be developed in expository classes, complementing the teaching with interactive sessions, where the topics described in the contents section of this Guide will be expanded in a practical way. The teaching material used will be made available to the student through the USC Virtual Campus.
It is important that the student prepares his own notebook on the subject, with all the information available (teaching material that will be provided for each topic, notes collected in class and expanded with complementary information, as well as information obtained from practical classes).
The interactive practice sessions stimulate student activity, the application of the knowledge provided in the expository classes, as well as group work and discussion. The practices will begin by setting the objectives of the practice, giving the guidelines for its monitoring.
In order to enhance continuous evaluation and check the use of each practical session, an evaluation test will be carried out in each of the practices (combination of multiple choice test, short answers and resolution of practical cases). In all cases, the continuous evaluation will be carried out within the teaching activity schedule, with the assignments or tests being delivered at the end of the session.
In the case of practices where the student must carry out independent work, the individual product of said activity will be evaluated, and the evaluation may include the presentation of results. In the case of tests or practical cases to be developed in a group, the grade of the work presented will be the same for all members of the group.
The set of continuous assessment tests will have a weight of 40% of the final grade.
OR1 Assessment: This activity is worth 10% of the final grade for the course. Attendance is required to pass the course. No exemptions are granted, as it is essential to demonstrate compliance with the competencies associated with it.
The student will be provided with an assessment rubric for the practical assignment prior to completion.
Failure to pass this activity means not achieving the skills necessary to pass the course. The student will be entitled to a second opportunity to complete the assignment after completing the final exam.
Passing these skills will entitle the student to not have to complete this activity in the next academic year, should they have to repeat the course.
The student will have the right to a second opportunity to develop at the end of the final exam of the subject. In this practice, three learning objectives from three CD1 are evaluated, being a summative, evaluable and eliminatory activity.
At the end of the theoretical and practical sessions, a final exam will be taken.
To attend it, it is necessary to attend 100% of the practical sessions.
The material taught, both in theoretical and practical classes, is likely to be included in the final exam.
The final exam will consist of a mixed test with multiple choice questions or development questions. It will have a weight of 60% of the final grade. This exam will be passed by exceeding 50% of the exam value. In that case, the continuous evaluation grade will be added. If the final exam is not passed, the grade that will be applied will be the one obtained in this exam, reduced to ten and will not be added to the rest of the grades.
Internships are considered mandatory teaching activities for all students, regardless of whether the student has already done them in previous courses. Repeat students may be exempt from active visits if they obtained a minimum passing grade in the previous course.
No total exemption is granted in this matter. Based on Instruction No. 1/2017 of the General Secretariat, those students who are granted a partial exemption will not have the obligation to attend master classes, but the obligation to attend all interactive activities (practices of laboratory, seminars, clinical practices, visits to farms) and those activities in which competencies are evaluated on a day one exclusively for this subject, as in-person attendance is necessary. The evaluation system for those students who are granted partial dispensation based on the aforementioned instruction will be the same for all students, since no evaluation activities are carried out in the theoretical classes for which partial dispensation is granted.
For cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions of the "Regulations for evaluating the academic performance of students and reviewing grades" (article 16 of the Resolution of 06/15/2011 of the USC, DOG of 07/21/2011).
PRESENTIAL WORK IN CLASS (10x Nº ECTS)
AUTONOMOUS WORK OF THE STUDENT (15x Nº ECTS)
PRESENTIAL WORK IN CLASS Hours
Lectures 24
Laboratory practises 10
Active farm visits 16
Tutorial sessions 1
Total hours presential work 51
AUTONOMOUS WORK OF THE STUDENT Hours
Autonomous study 61,5
Total student hours 112,5
- Attend all the activities of the subject, both theoretical and practical.
- Use tutorials to clarify doubts about the content developed in classes.
- Make use of the available resources: USC Virtual or email that help improve teaching.
- Dedicate the planned weekly time to each content in an organized and systematic way.
- Consult the bibliography as the topics are developed and make use of the rest of the consultation tools (websites, magazines) to expand knowledge of the topics covered during the course.
- Actively participate in the development of teaching activities, raising questions and making constructive comments on the subjects taught.
-Review the theoretical content taught before carrying out the corresponding practices, so that practical teaching is more efficient.
Margarita Rico Gomez
- Department
- Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Science
- Area
- Animal production
- marga.rico.gomez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Alejandro Fernandez Fernandez
- Department
- Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Science
- Area
- Animal production
- alejandro.fernandez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: LOSU (Organic Law Of University System) Associate University Professor
Ramiro Antonio Fouz Dopacio
Coordinador/a- Department
- Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Science
- Area
- Animal production
- ramiro.fouz [at] usc.es
- Category
- PROFESOR/A PERMANENTE LABORAL
Ana Isabel Roca Fernandez
- Department
- Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Science
- Area
- Animal production
- Phone
- 982822415
- anai.roca [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Intern Assistant LOSU
Cynthia Lopez Novo
- Department
- Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Science
- Area
- Animal production
- cynthia.lopez.novo [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Intern Assistant LOSU
Nicolas Mejuto Vazquez
- Department
- Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Science
- Area
- Animal production
- nicolas.mejuto.vazquez [at] usc.es
- Category
- USC Pre-doctoral Contract
Elena Niceas Martinez Diez
- Department
- Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Science
- Area
- Animal production
- elenaniceas.martinez.diez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Temporary supply professor for IT and others
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:30-12:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS09 | Galician | Classroom 2 |
| 11:30-12:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS04 | Galician | Classroom 2 |
| 11:30-12:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS10 | Galician | Classroom 2 |
| 11:30-12:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS05 | Galician | Classroom 2 |
| 11:30-12:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS13 | Galician | Classroom 2 |
| 11:30-12:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS06 | Galician | Classroom 2 |
| 11:30-12:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS11 | Galician | Classroom 2 |
| 11:30-12:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS01 | Galician | Classroom 2 |
| 11:30-12:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS07 | Galician | Classroom 2 |
| 11:30-12:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS03 | Galician | Classroom 2 |
| 11:30-12:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS08 | Galician | Classroom 2 |
| 11:30-12:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS12 | Galician | Classroom 2 |
| 11:30-12:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS02 | Galician | Classroom 2 |
| Thursday | |||
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician, Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| Friday | |||
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish, Galician | Classroom 2 |
| 01.20.2026 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 1 |
| 01.20.2026 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 2 |
| 01.20.2026 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 3 |
| 06.22.2026 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 1 |
| 06.22.2026 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 2 |