Dairy Science 414

Objectives: Prior to entering this class students should have taken both An. Sci/Dy. Sci. 311 (Comparative Animal Nutrition) and An. Sci./Dy. Sci. 313 (Animal Feeds and Formulation). Through taking these classes, students should have a basic understanding of the various nutrients animals need as well as the ability to balance simple rations for those nutrients.

This class covers principles of ruminant nutrition with dairy cows and replacement heifers as the main focus. At the end of this course, students will be familiar with current scientific concepts of ruminant nutrition. In addition, students will gain practical knowledge and critical thinking skills in evaluating dairy rations. Learning is not only acquiring new knowledge, but more importantly, it includes the ability to apply, to analyze, to synthesize, to criticize, and to evaluate. The main objectives of this class are as follows:

• To learn nutritional concepts and their implications in balancing rations for ruminants (with an strong emphasis on dairy cattle feeding).
• To gain analytical and critical thinking skills related to technical aspects of feeding ruminants.
• To gain "hands-on" experience in evaluating rations in the "real-world".