Abstract:

Attraction and involvement of students in the research activity carried out during the theoretical and practical training is one of the aims of the project that concentrated on students to acquire skills regarding the sampling technique for carrying out the analyzes and the way to perform different determinations which took place at the university, as well as at the dairy cow farm. Also, the students, in collaboration with the teaching staff, provided the support for the implementation of modern technologies for dairy cows feeding in the conditions of using natural zeolites as part of the technological transfer to an economic agent.

Breeding technology of dairy cows is the result of thorough research, which analyzed many ways of housing, reproduction, nutrition, management strategies and marketing of the finished product. In this respect, students along with their practice tutor have focused on the measures that have been applied to the use of a natural mineral product represented by the volcanic tuff. It has been administered to the dairy cow feed during breast rest and lactation periods and as a mineral absorbent in bedding from shelters.

In order to determine the influence of volcanic tuff use on the health of dairy cows and offsprings, experiments were organized on 80 Holstein Friesian cows, the lots being homogeneous in terms of weight and physiological state. The period of administration of the volcanic tuff was in the last month of gestation and the first month of lactation. It was found that cows which consumed volcanic tuff in the ration had the percentage of milk fever cases diminished. Also the calves that have consumed colostrum from these cows have shown an improved health status, decreasing the incidence of scours and diarrhea. By implementing the proposed technology, the students have learned about the health status of dairy cows. The students observed how the conception products got improved, resulting in higher farm-level economic performance by reducing the frequency of digestive disorders and their effects.

In the work done the students were coordinated by a practice tutor who also participated in the assessment of the practical activity of the master and doctoral students. The economic agent has allowed the access of master and doctoral candidates to all the compartments of the unit which is conducted. Moreover, the practice tutor also helped the practitioners to pursue their goals in the graduation work, by providing them all the necessary means at their disposal.

In conclusion, the aim of the project is to increase the number of researchers by involving master and PhD students in research projects, encouraging the formation of researchers in a high-quality scientific environment.

Keywords:

Students, practical activities, workplace learning, dairy cows.