Ecological management of ruminants

Training Certificate issued by INEA-University School of Agricultural Engineering.

Content:

• Introduction and Regulations: This module provides a detailed technical and regulatory overview of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing livestock farming, both nationally and internationally. Regulations related to food safety, animal welfare, zoonotic disease control, livestock waste management, and environmental laws regulating greenhouse gas emissions, water management, and biodiversity on livestock farms will be addressed. In addition, certification and traceability requirements for animal products will be studied, with an emphasis on EU regulations (such as Regulation (EC) 853/2004) and guidelines from international organizations such as the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) and the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).
• Getting Started. Land. Incorporation: This section delves into the initial technical and operational aspects of starting a livestock farm. The criteria for selecting and evaluating land for livestock farming will be studied, including factors such as soil quality, water availability, topography, and accessibility. In addition, the administrative and legal aspects necessary for starting a livestock farm will be addressed, such as the legal establishment of the business, access to subsidies or credit, and compliance with land use and environmental licensing regulations. Initial strategic planning for an efficient and sustainable operation will also be discussed.
• Facilities. Stocking Rates. Management: This module covers the planning and design of livestock facilities, with special emphasis on the technical aspects of the infrastructure necessary for proper animal handling. Space, ventilation, lighting, and housing comfort requirements for cattle, pigs, poultry, and other types of animals will be studied. In addition, stocking rates will be analyzed, which are key indicators for determining the appropriate animal density in relation to the available surface area, in accordance with regulations and best practices in animal welfare and production efficiency. Animal handling will be examined from a technical perspective, including milking, fattening, breeding, and health management techniques.
• Sanitary Control Strategies. Prophylaxis. Treatments: This section will delve into specific sanitary strategies and protocols for maintaining animal health on livestock farms. The design and implementation of prophylaxis programs, including vaccination, control of internal and external parasites, management of zoonotic diseases, and prevention of epidemic outbreaks, will be discussed. Specific veterinary treatments for the most common livestock diseases, including antibiotics, antiparasitics, and other medications, will be discussed, with a technical focus on pharmacokinetics, dosage, side effects, and antimicrobial resistance. Regulations related to the responsible use of medications and drug residue control practices will also be addressed.
• Feeding. Contributions of natural resources. Needs. Supplements: This module addresses animal nutrition in detail, studying the nutritional needs of different types of livestock according to their productive stage (fattening, lactation, reproduction). The main ingredients of feed rations, such as forages, concentrates, and supplements, will be analyzed, as well as their formulation based on the energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins required for efficient and healthy production. In addition, the use of natural resources available on farms (pastures, agricultural byproducts) will be examined, and the nutritional supplements necessary to optimize animal health and productivity will be discussed, including additives, probiotics, growth precursors, and alternative protein sources.
• Economy. Ratios. Data structure. Economic results of other experiences and countries. Markets. Existing structures around the world. Spain, autonomous communities. Marketing: This section will provide a comprehensive economic analysis of livestock farming. Key financial indicators and ratios that determine the economic viability of a livestock farm will be explored, such as production cost per unit, gross margin, profitability, and resource efficiency. Cost structures and sources of income will be studied, both at the farm level and in global markets. Additionally, the economic results of livestock farming experiences and models in other countries will be examined, comparing market trends and structures in different economic contexts. Marketing strategies applied to animal products will be addressed, with an emphasis on quality differentiation, certification of origin, the promotion of organic and animal welfare products, and global consumer trends. Finally, public policies and structures of the livestock sector in Spain will be analyzed, including the differences between autonomous communities in terms of regulations, subsidies, and support programs.

Goals:

• The main objective of this module is to provide a conceptual and practical framework for the specificities of managing ruminant farms under a certified organic production system, focusing on compliance with international regulations, such as those established by the European Union (Regulation (EU) 848/2018) and other certifying entities.
• The fundamental principles and practices of organic livestock farming will be studied, including the use of rotational grazing systems, respect for natural reproductive cycles, prohibition of the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and the implementation of integrated disease and pest management strategies.
• In addition, the regulations governing feed will be detailed, which must be composed primarily of organic feed and guarantee an adequate nutrient diversity for the animals.
• The technical aspects of organic certification will be explored in depth, including auditing, control, and traceability procedures that ensure the authenticity of organic production, as well as animal welfare practices, which require free movement and access to grazing land, contributing to sustainable development and respect for agroecological principles.