Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Practical | 2 x 3 Hour Practicals |
| Field Trip | 2 x 3 Hour Field Trips |
| Lecture | 22 x 1 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Pasture Improvement Assignment (1500 words) | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Describe the range and distribution of grassland within the UK and globally.
2. Evaluate the characteristics and potential roles of a range of grass and legume species and varieties and assess and compare the suitability of a range of methods of pasture improvement.
3. Determine pasture nutrient requirements and recommend appropriate manurial strategies.
4. Describe and evaluate principles and systems of grazing and forage conservation.
5. Integrate relevant aspects of grassland management to describe, plan and evaluate grassland management techniques.
Brief description
This module will provide an understanding of the underlying scientific principles of grassland management and equip students with the knowledge to manage grassland in order to utilize its full potential.
Aims
To provide Equine Studies students with a sound, basic understanding of the principles and practice of grassland management and forage conservation, with particular reference to UK conditions. Through a series of integrated lectures, practicals and visits, students will be introduced to underpinning concepts and principles and examples of best practice.
Content
Lectures
1. Introduction
2. Range and distribution of grassland
3. Factors affecting growth
4. Factors affecting nutritive value
5. Pasture species
6. Herbage varieties
7. Pasture composition
8. Manipulation of pasture composition
9. Weed control
10. Reseeding
11. Soil fertility
12. Fertiliser and manure use
13. Fertiliser and manure use
14. Grazing management
15. Grazing management
16. Grazing management
17. Forage conservation
18. Forage conservation
19. Forage conservation
20. Alternative forages
21. Forage systems planning
22. Module review and revision
Practicals
1. Grass identification
2. Grass identification
3. Field visit
4. Field visit
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Not developed |
| Communication | Students will be expected to be able to express themselves appropriately in both assessments. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Detailed feedback will be given for assignment work and in the forum assessment. |
| Information Technology | Students will be required to source information from a variety of scientific publication databases. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Not developed |
| Problem solving | Through coursework – the pasture improvement assignment will be based on a 'real life' scenario with numerous questions and challenges posed. |
| Research skills | Students will be required to undergo directed self study and work towards their assignment and so will develop their literature research skills. |
| Subject Specific Skills | The underlying principles of equine grassland management. |
| Team work | Not developed |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5