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Course

HFE302 Nutrition and Diet Optimisation in Ruminants

Credits (ECTS):15

Responsible faculty:Fakultet for biovitenskap

Course responsible:Egil Prestløkken

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:English, norwegian

Limits of class size:15

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:350 hours.

Teaching and exam period:In 2026 the June block teaching is moved to August block. Registration deadline June 1. The evaluation is in the Autumn parallel.

About this course

Introduction to theories that influence the supply and utilisation of nutrients for ruminants. Performance of in vivo experiments with cannulate dairy cows. The experiment will measure fermentation products in the rumen, digestion kinetics and nutrients in blood and animal products. Introduction to and use of systems and computer tools for optimising feed allowances for ruminants. The in vivo experiment and laboratory work will be carried out in the June block.

Learning outcome

After the course has been completed, students should have an elementary and applied understanding of:

1. Methods used for chemical analysis of feed and analytical methods for determining metabolic compounds in blood and animal products.

2. Dietary metabolism in the digestive tract.

3. Mathematical description of nutrient metabolism in the digestive tract.

4. Absorption of nutrients from the digestive tract and how it is affected by diet composition.

5. Intermediary metabolism of absorbed nutrients and how they affect nutrient utilisation and production responses.

6. Regulation and determination of feed intake.

7. Determination of the nutritional value of feed for ruminants.

8. Introduction to new systems for feed evaluation in ruminants.

9. How feeding strategies in ruminants affect nutrient requirements and production responses.

10. Mathematical methods and tools for optimising feed allowances.

After the course has been completed, the student shall have elementary knowledge of practical feed planning and ration optimisation for ruminants.

  • Learning activities
    The course is a combination of lectures, flipped classroom and exercises including performance of an animal experiment. Teaching in English if English speaking participants.!
  • Syllabus
    Materials to be copied will be handed out. These cover the subjects brought up in the lectures. It is assumed that the students will find literature on their own, which will be needed to carry out the exercises.
  • Prerequisites
    HFE205
  • Recommended prerequisites
    KJM100, KJB100, HFE200, HFX201, HFX255
  • Assessment method
    Student assessment will be as oral examination and exercises in a ratio of 70:30. Pass is needed in both to pass the course.

    Exercise Karakterregel: Letter grades Oral exam Karakterregel: Letter grades
  • About use of AI
    AI is permitted in connection with learning. If used, it must be used and disclosed in accordance NMBU guidelines. AI cannot be used at exams.

    Descriptions of AI-category codes.

  • Examiner scheme
    An examiner will be used for the final, oral examination. The same examiner will be used for ensuring the quality of the contents and design of the course before it starts.
  • Mandatory activity
    Laboratory work and a report focusing on central subjects are compulsory.
  • Teaching hours
    Instruction time: Lectures and flipped classrom: 100+ hours. Animal experiments: 50+ hours. Exercises and flipped classroom: 150+ hours. Working groups.
  • Preferential right
    The study programme Master in Animal Science.
  • Admission requirements
    Special requirements in Science