Module Information
Module Identifier
RD11110
Module Title
Precision Agricultural Technology
Academic Year
2020/2021
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours Short-answer question paper. | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Written Report - Farm Technology Evaluation (1500 words) | 60% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written Report - Farm Technology Evaluation The role and development of specific technology on farm. - Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Describe the development and roles of the power unit on farm.
2. Identify the roles of Information Technology on the farm.
3. Identify and evaluate the role of Precision Farming and explain the key principles involved.
4. Describe and evaluate the adoption of 'Green technology' on farm.
5. Appraise a farm's environmental and resource use credentials.
6. Demonstrate an awareness of health and safety measures to ensure safe operation and best practice on a farm.
Brief description
This module describes the principles and practices underpinning the extensive range of technologies that are increasingly being developed and adopted by the agricultural industry. Five themes will be the focus of teaching and learning.
•The evolution of agricultural technology
•The efficient use of Power and information management to control mechanical operations - soil preparation, crop protection, harvesting and processing, transport
•Spatial awareness - principles of GPS in the field, GIS, field records, yield mapping, livestock monitoring
•Precision farming –application of information technology with farm husbandry including data collection and its use for crop (input, growing and output periods) and animal (nutrition, health, fertility, housing) husbandry.
•'Green technology' and resource management
•Adapting information and knowledge on farm in an environmentally sensitive contex
•The evolution of agricultural technology
•The efficient use of Power and information management to control mechanical operations - soil preparation, crop protection, harvesting and processing, transport
•Spatial awareness - principles of GPS in the field, GIS, field records, yield mapping, livestock monitoring
•Precision farming –application of information technology with farm husbandry including data collection and its use for crop (input, growing and output periods) and animal (nutrition, health, fertility, housing) husbandry.
•'Green technology' and resource management
•Adapting information and knowledge on farm in an environmentally sensitive contex
Content
The module considers the development, adoption and implementation of technology in agriculture and consists of a series of lectures and demonstrations :
1.Power – the function and development of the agricultural tractor / power unit – design, technology, power unit selection
2.Equipment – cultivation, crop protection and harvesting equipment and systems and their development
3.Information technology on farm – the expanding role of information technology – farm and field records / data handling, livestock identification,
4.Precision farming – precision field technology and its application – pre field activity and post analysis to improve performance.
5.Green technology – resource management and protection – water, soil – and the role of alternative fuels and power sources – bio-fuels, wind, water – on farm
1.Power – the function and development of the agricultural tractor / power unit – design, technology, power unit selection
2.Equipment – cultivation, crop protection and harvesting equipment and systems and their development
3.Information technology on farm – the expanding role of information technology – farm and field records / data handling, livestock identification,
4.Precision farming – precision field technology and its application – pre field activity and post analysis to improve performance.
5.Green technology – resource management and protection – water, soil – and the role of alternative fuels and power sources – bio-fuels, wind, water – on farm
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | |
| Communication | The assignment will demand clear and well presented written communication. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | |
| Information Technology | Information technology will be integral to the teaching assignment work in the module. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The assignment will be based on existing on farm technology and its application. |
| Problem solving | The assignment will involve defining –and outlining a range of solutions for – a farm based technology. |
| Research skills | The assignment will involve research and critical evaluation of technological / scientific and trade literature. |
| Subject Specific Skills | An awareness of agricultural technology and its capabilities, limitations and evolution is a key subject specific skill. |
| Team work |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4