Animal Health, Management & Welfare 3

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Students completing this subject should: understand the concepts of epidemiology; be aware of factors which influence patterns of disease; be familiar with the techniques of data acquisition and analysis and the uses and limitations of statistical information; be able to undertake epidemiological investigations of animal disease outbreaks; be able to provide economic reasoning in decision making when dealing with animal production systems; be able to prepare a budget, for a proposed change to a business; understand various financial analytical methods that aid business financial decision-making including gross margins, cash flow budgets, partial budgets and comparative analysis (bench-marking); be able to design a simple breeding program for animals; understand the principles of selection for genetic improvement in various animal production systems; be able to advise on the use of reproductive technologies to improve the rate of genetic gain; understand the importance of pastures in profitable grazing systems; be aware of strategies to upgrade pasture production and pasture quality; be competent at planning and implementing grazing management strategies; understand the basics of intensive fish farming; further develop computer skills and skills in integrating material from previous subjects.

Topics include epidemiology, economics, genetics, pasture management and fish farming. Epidemiology includes factors that influence patterns of disease; techniques of data acquisition and analysis, and the uses and limitations of statistical information; and epidemiological investigations of animal disease outbreaks. Economics includes economic reasoning in decision-making with animal production systems; preparing a farm budget, financial analytical methods that aid business financial decision-making including gross margins, enterprise analysis, cash flow budgets, partial budgets and comparative analysis (benchmarking). Genetics includes understanding the principles of selection for genetic improvement in various animal productions systems; and the use of reproductive technologies to improve the rate of genetic gain. Pasture management includes understanding the importance of pastures in profitable grazing systems; strategies to upgrade pasture production and pasture quality; and planning and implementing grazing management strategies. Fish farming includes the basics of intensive fish farming.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students completing this subject should:

• be familiar with the techniques of data acquisition and analysis and the uses and limitations of statistical information;

• be able to critically analyse scientific papers and reports;

• have skills in writing a scientific paper or report;

• be competent in objective and systematic approaches to decision making; and

• have increased ability to integrate and apply knowledge from a wide range of disciplines.