Module Identifier | RD20210 | |||||||||||||||||
Module Title | GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT AND FORAGE CONSERVATION | |||||||||||||||||
Academic Year | 2006/2007 | |||||||||||||||||
Co-ordinator | Dr Iwan G Owen | |||||||||||||||||
Semester | Semester 1 | |||||||||||||||||
Mutually Exclusive | RD20320 | |||||||||||||||||
Course delivery | Lecture | 2 x 1 hour lectures per week | ||||||||||||||||
Practical | 5 x 3 hour practicals during semester | |||||||||||||||||
Assessment |
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Outcome 1
Identify the factors influencing pasture growth
Performance criteria
a. Understand the morphology of pasture plants
b. Identify and evaluate a range of desirable and less desirable pasture species
c. Describe the influence of climate and soil on pasture growth
Range
Grasses, legumes, herbs
Rainfall, temperature, drainage, fertility
Outcome 2
Recommend appropriate pasture improvement measures
Performance criteria
a. Explain the principles of pasture ecology
b. Identify the need for pasture improvement
c. Compare and select appropriate pasture improvement techniques and strategies
Range
Climate, fertility, grazing animals, animal species
Yield, seasonality, quality, environment
Management, partial reseeding, complete reseeding
Outcome 3
Recommend an appropriate manuring programme for pasture
Performance criteria
a. Recognise the roles of major and minor plant nutrients
b. Interpret soil analyses and determine manurial requirements
c. Evaluate a range of fertilizers and manures
d. Recommend appropriate manurial programmes
Range
Major, minor, trace elements, lime
Soil, nutrient cycles, system
Inorganic, organic, lime
Type, quantity, timing of application
Outcome 4
Describe the role of grazing management in livestock husbandry
Performance criteria
a. The principles of good grazing management are described
b. The requirements of animal nutrition, pasture management and internal parasite control are discussed
c. Grazing management strategies are compared and appropriate systems selected
Range
Nutrition, pasture, animal species, internal parasites
Systems
Outcome 5
Describe the role of forage conservation
Performance criteria
a. The principles of good forage conservation are described
b. The requirements of animal nutrition and pasture management are discussed
c. Forage conservation strategies are compared and appropriate systems selected
Range
Moisture removal, fermentation
Nutrition, pasture
Systems
Outcome 6
Construct a grassland management plan
Performance criteria
a. Potential pasture production is evaluated
b. Existing pasture production and utilization are assessed
c. Means of achieving potential pasture output are determined
d. An integrated plan is recommended
Range
Soil, climate, pasture composition
Fertility, grazing, forage conservation
Locality, systems
This module is at CQFW Level 5