Organic Livestock Production

This course in intended for students new to organic livestock production, and for more experienced producers. The course is divided into five, stand-alone modules. Introduction to Organic Livestock Production includes an overview of the philosophical basis for organic agriculture, organic standards, health management strategies, marketing methods, and ethical concerns relating to livestock production. The second module, Health Management in Organic Livestock Systems, provides vital information for anyone managing livestock organically. Topics covered include concepts of disease and health, disease prevention, and alternative treatments (herbal remedies, homeopathy, and acupuncture). Modules three, four, and five focus on organic production of specific livestock types: beef and sheep, dairy, and swine and poultry. Each of these modules provides information on nutrition and feeding, pasture management, housing, manure management, health, and breed selection. In addition, topics specific to each livestock type are presented. Selected topics include pasture management and parasite control in Organic Beef and Sheep Production, milkhouse wastewater management, mastitis control, and pipeline sanitation in Organic Dairy Production, and egg marketing and alternative housing systems in Organic Swine and Poultry Production.

This is a web-based course that incorporates a variety of instructional materials and methods. Throughout the course you will explore available organic resources and complete a variety of self-directed learning exercises. You will also participate in focused discussion groups and use the course information to complete assignments and to test your knowledge in the final exam.

Instructor info

Dr. Silvina Fernández began her veterinarian career in 1990 after graduating from the Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA) in Tandil, Argentina. She joined UNCPBA’s Faculty of Veterinary Sciences in 1991 where she worked on epidemiology and control of gastrointestinal parasites of livestock—dairy and beef cattle, and sheep. In 1999, she received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her interest in organic livestock production led to her postdoctoral post at the Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology where she conducted research on the effects of mixed grazing between cattle and outdoor-reared pigs on cattle parasites.

Dr. Fernández moved to Canada in 2002 and is currently developing a project on sustainable control of gastrointestinal parasites in organic livestock. The project involves researchers and collaborators from the Organic Agricultural Centre of Canada; Ontario Veterinary College; Atlantic Veterinary College; Quebec Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture. Dr. Fernández is a member of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP) and the Argentinean Association of Veterinary Parasitology (AAPAVET). She is also Assistant Editor of the WAAVP Newsletter.

How to Register