Feeding the World

University of Pennsylvania

About this Course

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This course will explore the concepts driving current food production science (population growth, urbanization, emerging affluence, resource constraints, and underlying biological limits) with the main focus on livestock production. Each of the major food animal species (dairy, swine, beef, and poultry) will be covered in terms of their universal life cycles, constraints to production and emerging societal issues. 
Throughout the course, we will tackle some difficult and important questions:
What are the major health benefits and potential concerns regarding the production and consumption of animal products?
How does animal production affect the efficient use of resources and impact our environment?
Can cost of production be reduced to meet growing demand for animal products around the globe while maintaining health and safety for both animals and consumers?
What are the different types of animal food production systems?

Myths and misconceptions surrounding the animal food systems will be discussed. We’ll also look closely at some of the global issues, problems, and challenges in these food systems which scientists, farmers, and veterinarians, are attempting to solve through collaboration.

Lectures will be delivered by several experts from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine who are intimately involved in the study and advancement of animal production systems. The course is geared towards learners who seek a greater understanding of animal food systems as well as those who might have never visited an animal farm, but have a desire to learn more about where some of our food comes from and issues surrounding sustainability.

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Flexible deadlines

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Beginner Level

Approx. 13 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 13 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.4/5 (6 Ratings)

David Galligan

Professor of Animal Health Economics

School of Veterinary Medicine

7,242 Learners

1 Course

James Ferguson

Professor Emeritus

School of Veterinary Medicine

7,242 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Population Growth and Global Animal Industries

This module introduces the course by discussing the pressing need to address global food security as well as the accompanying challenges and ethical issues. We also explore the role that livestock play in the food production system and review trends in animal production.

2 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 104 min)

11 videos

Feeding the World (About This Course)1m

Welcome to the Course1m

Global Food Security: What's the Status?11m

What About Livestock Systems? Part 110m

What About Livestock Systems? Part 214m

What are the Ethical Issues? Part 110m

What are the Ethical Issues? Part 213m

Copy of What are the Ethical Issues? Part 110m

Mega Trends in Animal Production Part 19m

Mega Trends in Animal Production Part 29m

Demand for Animal Products8m

2 practice exercises

Population Growth and Global Food Security16m

Trends in Animal Production10m

Week

Week 2

1 hour to complete

Issues Surrounding Animal Production

This module begins to explore the fundamental principles of animal production operations and the issues surrounding animal production. We will look at the efficiency and environmental impact of the food system as well as animal welfare concerns. Finally, we will discuss the importance of water as an essential resource for the food production system.

1 hour to complete

6 videos (Total 54 min)

6 videos

"Livestock's Long Shadow"5m

"Long Shadow - Concerns"8m

Introduction to Animal Welfare7m

Land Use: Animal Feeding Systems and Major Food/Feed Crops10m

Water: The Essential Resource for the Food Industry Part 110m

Water: The Essential Resource for the Food Industry Part 210m

2 practice exercises

Livestock Issues in Food Security20m

Water as a Resource in Food Production10m

Week

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Animal Feeds and the Environment

This module focuses on animal feeds and their important role in the animal production system. You will gain an understanding of the constituents in feed as well as how feed is classified. We will also examine and explain how nutrients flow through the environment. Finally, we will look at the problem of food waste and identify solutions.

2 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 78 min)

9 videos

What are Concentrates and Proteins?8m

What are Roughages?11m

Feed Analysis7m

Nutrient Concentration in Modern Animal Systems7m

Nitrogen (N) in Food Production8m

The N/P Ratio Dilemma6m

Animal Manure: Waste or Resource10m

Feeding Management: Nutrient Source Control9m

Food Waste7m

3 practice exercises

Animal Feed Components and Their Analysis12m

Nutrients in Animal Production16m

Food Waste8m

Week

Week 4

1 hour to complete

General Animal Production, Efficiency and Food Safety

This module continues the discussion of animal production operations by looking at factors that affect farms’ animal yields and environmental efficiency. We will also explore food safety, how and why antibiotics are used in food production, and the importance of veterinary medicine as part of the livestock system. Finally, we will look at the challenges of food security and livestock farming in the developing world.

1 hour to complete

7 videos (Total 57 min)

7 videos

Animal Production Unit and Marginal Production10m

Food Safety, Elements of Concern - The Big Picture6m

Antibiotic Use in Livestock5m

Growth Promotion vs. Disease Prevention8m

Trends in Antibiotic Use5m

Rinderpest11m

Challenges of Food Security in the Developing World9m

3 practice exercises

The Animal Production Unit6m

Food Safety and Antibiotic Use10m

Livestock, Veterinary Medicine and Food Security8m

Week

Week 5

2 hours to complete

Dairy Production

Welcome to the first week of the course which explores a particular animal production sector. The focus for this module will be dairy. The life cycle of a dairy cow as well as the environmental impact of dairy production will be covered. We'll also explore housing systems, milking technologies, trends and animal welfare issues in the dairy production system. Finally we will address public health concerns in dairy production including hormone use, antibiotic use, and milk safety in the U.S.

2 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 79 min)

9 videos

Life Production Cycle of the Dairy Cow4m

Resource Use in Dairy Production13m

Example of Yield Impact on Water Use (Dairy)5m

Housing Systems in Dairy Production11m

Hand Milking to Robotics9m

Industry Trends in Dairy Production10m

Bovine Somatotropin BST8m

Are There Antibiotics in Milk?6m

Milk Safety in the U.S.8m

3 practice exercises

Life Cycle and Environmental Impact12m

U.S. Industry and Animal Welfare12m

Public Health12m

Week

Week 6

1 hour to complete

Swine Production

This module will examine the life cycle of market hogs and mother sows in the U.S. swine production system. Swine housing and the rationale behind those facilities will be covered in addition to welfare and the trends and challenges currently affecting the swine industry.

1 hour to complete

4 videos (Total 15 min)

4 videos

The Life Cycle of a Market Hog2m

The Life Cycle of a Mother Sow2m

Why are Most Pigs Raised Indoors?2m

Sow Housing and Welfare7m

2 practice exercises

Life Cycle and U.S. Industry14m

Animal Welfare12m

Week

Week 7

1 hour to complete

Poultry Production

This module examines the production system and life cycle of U.S. poultry. We'll address animal welfare issues and emerging challenges and finish the week with a discussion about public health concerns related to the poultry production system.

1 hour to complete

4 videos (Total 41 min)

4 videos

Poultry Production Systems8m

The U.S. Poultry Industry9m

Welfare/Husbandry Emerging Issues12m

Avian Influenza10m

3 practice exercises

Life Cycle and U.S. Industry10m

Animal Welfare12m

Public Health8m

Week

Week 8

3 hours to complete

Beef Production

The final module of the course focuses on beef production systems. We will examine the production system and life cycle of U.S. beef cattle. Then, we'll address animal health as well as public health issues. Finally, we'll finish the week with a discussion about the international beef industry.

3 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 112 min)

11 videos

The Beef Cow Life Cycle Part 15m

The Beef Cow Life Cycle Part 210m

United States Beef Industry Part 114m

United States Beef Industry Part 216m

U.S. Beef Industry - Animal Health Part 116m

U.S. Beef Industry - Animal Health Part 29m

U.S. Beef Industry - Animal Health Part 38m

Implant Technology in Beef Production8m

International Beef Industry Part 110m

International Beef Industry Part 29m

Thank You! Concluding Thoughts44s

4 practice exercises

Life Cycle12m

U.S. Industry8m

Animal and Public Health12m

International Industry10m

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What is the refund policy?
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
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Feeding the World