Analyzing current challenges and providing improved methods for increasing undergraduate participation in forage processing

Personnel training in forage processing is very important for developing high-quality of animal husbandry in China, which is directly influenced by the teaching efficiency. To understand the participation of undergraduates in forage processing, analyze the challenges, and suggest improvements, this study summarized the state of forage processing in relevant domestic universities through collecting information and analysis of the existing problems in the teaching process by circulating questionnaires. The results showed that forage processing has been offered in all surveyed agricultural related universities in China, 80.0% of which are professional core courses for undergraduates. Factors such as inattentiveness and lack of studying after class, and poor exposure to livestock breeding and practical opportunities were the main problems associated with the teaching methodology of forage processing. Thus, this study suggests the following approaches to improve undergraduate participation and quality of talent training through teaching reform: (1) strengthening ideological and political education, (2) improving instructors teaching capabilities, and (3) enriching course content by integrating exposure to livestock breeding and increasing practical opportunities.