Learning Outcomes and Syllabus

1.         Cow fertility and reproduction

Aims

On completion of the module delegates should be able to:

• understand how to manage and monitor fertility in beef herds.

Syllabus

·        Targets for beef suckler herd fertility

·        Recording and analyzing herd fertility

·        Nutrition and condition scoring of beef cattle and relationship with fertility

·        Common diseases associated with fertility/abortions/stillbirths

·        Management of replacement heifers

·        Oestrus synchronization programmes for AI  beef herds

2.         Cow and calf diseases

Aims

On completion of the module delegates should be able to:

·       explain the aetiology, pathology, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and control of common diseases affecting beef cattle in the UK.

Syllabus

·        Common diseases of beef cows: diagnosis, treatment and prevention

·        Common diseases of suckled calves: diagnosis, treatment and prevention

3.         The Bull

Aims

On completion of the module delegates should be able to:

·     understand the factors influencing puberty and the breeding capability of the bull

• understand how to interpret a bull EBV
• recognise reproductive diseases of the bull
• understand other common health problems encountered in breeding bulls.
• perform a physical examination of a bull
• understand how to collect and evaluate a semen sample
• recognise and investigate poor (bull) fertility
• give appropriate advice regarding biosecurity
• construct a health and management plan for the bull
• describe how to perform a vasectomy in a bull

Syllabus

·        Genetic selection: a knowledge of the genetic assessment of dairy and beef bulls

·        Bull selection to minimise dystocia

·        Reproduction: puberty and time of onset

·        Normal structure and function of the genitalia

·        Causes and investigation of infertility in bulls

·        Breeding soundness examination, including collection and assessment of semen

·        Surgical preparation of teaser bulls

·        Common diseases of bulls, with particular reference to lameness

4.         Beef Finishing Systems

Aims

On completion of the module delegates should be able to:

·        describe the husbandry and management of growing beef finishing systems and evaluate the relative merits of the systems used

·        be able to interpret and set appropriate growth targets

·        understand the importance of carcase classification

·        explain the aetiology, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and control of common diseases affecting growing beef cattle in the UK.

Syllabus

·        Beef cattle from weaning to slaughter – nutrition and management

·        Target growth rates and carcase classification

·       Common nutritional diseases associated with different rearing systems

·        Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of common infectious and parasitic diseases

5. Herd health plans and population medicine

Aims

On completion of the module delegates should be able to:

·        devise appropriate health plans

·        set appropriate targets

·        devise suitable recording systems

·        be able to interpret the values of important parameters

·        devise appropriate biosecurity protocols

Syllabus

·        Measuring, managing and monitoring performance

·        Records and recording systems

·        Targets

·        Biosecurity

·        Zoonoses

·        Notifiable diseases

·        Herd health planning

·        Herd health plans