Beef Production and Economy

After completing the course, the student will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge:

• has knowledge of what are key financial and production targets in milk and beef production, can determine what are good and bad results
• has knowledge of important framework conditions within Norwegian milk and beef production, including the resource base on the farm, the quota system for milk, the role of market regulators, and possible challenges for the processing industry in the event of varying demand for milk and beef products in the market
• have knowledge of the annual cycle in dairy cow and suckler herds, including rearing of young animals
• has knowledge of the most commonly used feed material assessment system for dairy cows in Norway
• knows how the cow's nutrient intake affects the chemical composition of milk
• knowledge of the important health challenges in cattle, and being able to see connections between operating conditions, health and animal welfare in cattle production
• knows central research and development work within cattle production and can update his knowledge within the subject area • has knowledge of basic breeding theory in general and the Norwegian breeding programs at NRF and meat breeds in particular

Skills:

• can see financial and production targets in connection with the farm's operating plan, resources and animal husbandry (health, feeding and housing)
• can reflect on how cattle farming should be run to achieve good animal health, animal welfare and good financial results

General competence:

• can plan and carry out an operational analysis in a cattle herd, alone or as part of a group, in line with ethical norms
• can apply professional knowledge and results from research and development work to interpret data from the herd to analyze operational results in a dairy herd. Can also explain what could be good improvement measures, give professional advice and present this to others
• can apply professional knowledge and results from research and development work to interpret results in a forage analysis, as well as explain what could be good improvement measures when the goal is to make the most suitable forage for young animals, suckling cows, cows in high lactation, or various modes of operation in meat productio
• can exchange views on what constitutes good production and operation in cattle herds with milk and meat production
• can exchange views on what provides good animal welfare in cattle
• can convey basic theory about the correct feeding of young animals and production animals in dairy and beef cattle herds