Information Package / Course Catalogue
Cattle and Ovine Breeding
Course Code: ORT234
Course Type: Required
Couse Group: Short Cycle (Associate's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 2
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 3
Objectives of the Course

The objective of this course is to provide students with the technical, biological, and economic principles of large ruminant (cattle) and small ruminant (sheep, goat) production at both theoretical and practical application levels. The course covers breed characteristics, reproduction and fertility management, care, nutrition, housing principles, and practical field tasks such as milking and shearing, aiming to develop skills in executing rational and organic meat and milk production processes.

Course Content

Current status, breeds, and farm types of cattle, sheep, and goat husbandry in the world and Turkey. Reproduction in cattle, calf, and young stock rearing techniques; udder anatomy, lactation physiology, and body condition scoring (BCS). Standards for organic meat and milk production from cattle. Classification of sheep and goats, reproductive physiology, flock management, nutrition principles, housing systems, alongside practical field and laboratory applications for shearing, milking, and herd management.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Define the socio-economic status, enterprise structures, and major breeds raised in the large and small ruminant sectors in Turkey and the world.
2.Manage reproductive mechanisms, factors affecting fertility, and herd replacement processes (calf and young stock rearing) in cattle, sheep, and goats.
3.Apply udder anatomy, lactation physiology, and body condition scoring (BCS) criteria as herd management tools in dairy cattle enterprises.
4.Plan the principles of organic meat and milk production from livestock in compliance with official regulations and animal welfare standards.
5.Execute practical husbandry tasks such as nutrition, housing, milking, shearing, and flock management in small ruminant production according to technical guidelines.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.aprak, M. ve Esenbuğa, N. (Ed.). (2024). Küçükbaş hayvan yetiştiriciliği. [Yayıncı Adı Bilinmiyor]. https://doi.org/[DOI_NUMARASI]
2.Koyuncu, M., Tuncel, E., & Duru, S. (2014). Büyükbaş hayvan yetiştirme (Uygulama) [Cattle breeding (Practice)]. Uludağ Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Yayınları.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical & Practice
Lecture: Current status and economic importance of cattle production in the world and Turkey Practice: Investigation of occupational health and safety, organization, and technical infrastructure in livestock enterprises
Week 2 - Theoretical & Practice
Lecture: Cattle breeds (Dairy, beef, dual-purpose) and types of livestock enterprises Practice: Identification and classification of cattle breeds according to phenotypic (external appearance) characteristics in farms
Week 3 - Theoretical & Practice
Lecture: Reproductive physiology, artificial insemination, and fertility management in cattle Practice: Keeping reproductive records and calculation of fertility parameters in cattle
Week 4 - Theoretical & Practice
Lecture: Calf rearing techniques, nutrition, and critical care periods Practice: Colostrum quality control, bottle feeding, numbering, and ear-tagging practices in calves
Week 5 - Theoretical & Practice
Lecture: Rearing young stock, heifer management principles, and introduction to the herd Practice: Bodyweight measurement, heart girth measurement techniques, and monitoring growth curves in heifers
Week 6 - Theoretical & Practice
Lecture: Udder anatomy, lactation physiology, and milking hygiene in cattle Practice: Pre- and post-milking teat dipping (disinfection), cleaning of milking machines, and California Mastitis Test (CMT) practices
Week 7 - Theoretical & Practice
Lecture: Body condition scoring (BCS) and its relationship with feeding programs Practice: Hands-on body condition scoring (BCS) application on dairy cows in the barn
Week 8 - Theoretical & Practice
Lecture: Principles of organic meat and milk production from cattle / Midterm Exam Practice: Preparation of an organic cattle farm plan and practical input control in compliance with regulations
Week 9 - Theoretical & Practice
Lecture: Classification of sheep and sheep breeds according to production traits Practice: Breed-based morphological examinations and age determination practices in small ruminant barns
Week 10 - Theoretical & Practice
Lecture: Reproductive physiology, ram introduction (mating), and methods to increase fertility in sheep Practice: Field observation of ram introduction planning and estrus synchronization methods
Week 11 - Theoretical & Practice
Lecture: Fundamental principles of sheep nutrition and feeding during critical periods Practice: On-field weighing of ration components (roughage-concentrate) and feeding practices for small ruminants
Week 12 - Theoretical & Practice
Lecture: Practical husbandry practices, flock management, and housing systems in small ruminants Practice: Hoof trimming, foot-bath, and disinfection tunnel applications in small ruminants
Week 13 - Theoretical & Practice
Lecture: Milking techniques, shearing mechanization, and wool quality in small ruminants Practice: Hands-on shearing application in sheep, examination of wool quality, and small ruminant milking practices
Week 14 - Theoretical & Practice
Lecture: Global status and importance of goat husbandry, goat breeds, and the position of goats in the zoological system Practice: Flock management in goat enterprises, inspection of kid rearing units, and end-of-term practical evaluation
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Assignment1%5
Quiz1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140228
Lecture - Practice140228
Assignment1112
Individual Work140114
Quiz1112
Midterm Examination1112
Final Examination1213
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)79
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
PÇ-16
PÇ-17
PÇ-18
OÇ-1
2
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
3
2
OÇ-2
2
2
3
1
3
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
3
3
OÇ-3
3
3
3
2
3
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
2
2
3
3
OÇ-4
3
2
2
2
1
1
2
3
1
3
1
2
2
2
3
3
OÇ-5
3
3
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
1
3
2
1
2
1
3
3
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026