Module Identifier RD15510  
Module Title CEREAL CROP MANAGEMENT  
Academic Year 2002/2003  
Co-ordinator Dr Alun Davies  
Semester Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)  
Co-Requisite RD15310 Soil Management  
Course delivery Lecture   22 Hours 22 x 1 hour lectures  
  Practical   22 Hours 22 x 1 hour practicals  
Assessment Semester Exam   1.5 Hours Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3   30%  
  Semester Assessment   Cereal crop report and oral presentation Outcomes assessed: 2, 3   70%  
  Supplementary Assessment   Candidates will be required to re-take the element(s) that led to failing the module. The practical will be re-assessed by essay.   100%  

Learning outcomes

Outcome 1
Appreciate crop production systems in the UK.
Performance criteria:
a) The range of crop production systems and their markets in the UK are identified.
b) The environmental factors influencing crop production systems are explained.
Ranges:
Crop production systems: grassland and arable crops in UK.
Environmental factors: soil, climate, topography, location.
Outcome 2
Appreciate the key factors involved in crop establishment
Performance criteria:
a) Seedbed requirements are identified
b) Appropriate varieties and seed are selected
c) Factors influencing sowing date, depth, spacing and seedrate are evaluated and suitable decisions are made.
d) Factors affecting crop establishment are identified
Ranges:
Crop: cereals.
Seedbed: depth, tilth.
Establishment: weeds, pests, diseases, climate, soil.

Outcome 3
Manage the nutrition, protection and harvesting of crops with due regard to environmental and financial considerations.
Performance criteria:
a) Fertiliser programmes are designed in a manner appropriate to the crop, the locality and the environment
b) Crops are monitored and crop protection decisions made with due regard to cost and to the environment
c) Factors influencing the correct time of harvest and successful crop storage are identified
d) Financial performance of crops are assessed
Ranges:
Crop: cereals

Brief description

This module will begin with an overview of crop production and markets in the UK. Crop production can be conveniently considered under four headings: crop establishment, crop nutrition, crop protection and crop harvesting. This module will cover these areas using the students' management of winter cereal plots as the vehicle for learning. The module will apply many of the themes covered in "Soil Management" and Plant and Crop Science.

Transferable skills

Common Skills assessed:

1 Manage own roles and responsibilities
6 Relate to and interact effectively with individuals and groups
8 Receive and respond to a variety of information
9 Present information in a variety of forms
10 Communicate in writing
11 Participate in oral and non-verbal communication
12 Use information sources

Reading Lists

Technical Reports
NIAB. Cereals variety handbook (published annually). National Institute of Agricultural Botany