AP2A44: Practical Farm Analysis and Cereal Agronomy (Agric and ABM)

Module Provider:

Agriculture

Number of credits:

10 [5 ECTS credits]

Level:

I (Intermediate)

Terms in which taught:

Autumn, Spring and Summer

Module Convenor:

Dr A Bailey

Pre-requisites:

AP1A08 and AP1A12

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

Module version for:

2007/8

Aims:
• To develop understanding of a range of farming systems and production
• To develop understanding of the management of farming and related businesses
• To understand the agronomic, environmental and economic compromises that are made when growing cereals in the UK
• To raise awareness of career opportunities

Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of the module you will have developed the following management and core skills:
Management skills developed:
• Business analysis – understanding the reasons for diversity in farming systems, comparing a range of farming systems in relation to their physical, biological and economic attributes
• Occupational awareness – understanding the nature and requirements of working in a particular sector
• Be able to grow a commercially-relevant cereal crop with appropriate agronomic practice

Core skills developed:
• Report writing
• Analytical thinking – developing numeracy, literacy, reasoning and appraisal skills
• Reviewing scientific and agronomic literature

Additional outcomes:
• Interpersonal skills – developing skills in purposive questioning
• Data collection – developing skills in collecting data from different sources

Outline content:
Students will visit and meet a wide range of businesses and people working in the rural economy. Students will also choose and grow their own cereal within a designed experiment at the Crops Research Unit. Visits may include some of the following:

• Arable producers • Woodland management
• Livestock producers • Agri-environment schemes
• Organic producers • Diversified enterprises

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The practical farm analysis component involves a series of farm visits (up to five per term) with a follow-up seminar to discuss what was learned. In addition, there will a small number of visiting speakers involved in rural business practice and support.
• Guided tours of farms and businesses
• Seminars
• Directed learning – reflecting on your experience and assignments
• Presentations – discussion and presentations to tutors and other students
• Report writing – students must produce written reports on specified aspects using the visits as case samples

Students will choose a cereal species and variety to grow. They will also have responsibility to direct the management of their cereal re crop establishment, crop nutrition and crop protection. This process will be facilitated by lecture material at key growth stages, visits to the plots, and by comparison with results from fellow students. Each student will also review and present one scientific paper concerning an aspect of cereal agronomy.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
This is a practical module that encourages you to understand how farming systems, businesses and their management operate. Assessment is based on judging what you have learned from the visits.

Farm visits reports
60% (15% per marked report*). Students must produce a number of word processed reports on certain specified aspects using the visits as case examples (guideline 1,500 words, students will not be penalised for exceeding this limit). The reports must be handed in by the dates specified in the autumn and spring terms. Dates will be advised in relation to each visit. The report will be assessed based on the following criteria:
• Analysis of how the business / farming system functions (What contributes to the business / system, interrelationships within the business / system, how the business / system has developed)
• Application and evaluation of business theories
• Understanding of the effect of legislation and regulation on the business / farming system
• Commercial awareness (Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the business)
* Students will be asked to produce up to seven reports. Only two of the visit reports from each term will be marked but all reports must be completed.

Cereal Agronomy
30% report (guideline 2000 words) on the agronomy of the cereal crop they have grown. To include discussion as to the reason for each agronomic decision made, and an evaluation of the success or otherwise of each agronomic input.
10% presentation and précis (guideline 500 words) of scientific paper on cereal agronomy.

Relative percentage of coursework: 100%

Late submission:
Standard University rule applies: 10% marks deducted for work submitted up to one week late. Work submitted more than one week late will be awarded a zero mark.

Examinations: None

Requirements for a pass: 40% overall; all pieces of coursework must be completed

Reassessment: Re-examination in August/September