Course info

This course will provide students with an understanding of principles of ruminant animal production.

1. The importance of ruminant farming in Rwanda; introduction on the basic principles ruminant animal production and husbandry
2. Dairy and beef cattle breeds, reproduction, feeding, health and market management
3. Goat and sheep breeds, reproduction, feeding, health and market management.

At the end of this course, students will know:

• Definitions and concepts used in ruminant animal production
• The role of ruminant animal production in National economy, constraints, challenges and opportunities of ruminant animal production in Rwanda
• Ruminant animal production systems: definitions, types and classification, determinants of animal production systems
• Types of dairy, beef, goats and sheep breeds, and options for breed improvement
• Dairy cattle and shoats production in the tropics (Rwanda status, challenges and opportunities)
• Ruminant diseases, diagnosis,  control and prevention methods.