| Module Identifier |
RD16110 |
| Module Title |
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS |
| Academic Year |
2002/2003 |
| Co-ordinator |
Dr Peter D Jenkins |
| Semester |
Semester 2 |
| Course delivery |
Lecture | 22 Hours 22 x 1-hour lectures |
| |
Practical | 6 Hours 2 x 3-hr visits |
| Assessment |
Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3 | 80% |
| |
Semester Assessment | Oral presentation Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3 Working in pairs, an enterprise is selected, studied and reported on orally. | 20% |
| |
Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours | 100% |
Learning outcomes
Outcome 1
Identify and describe the range, distribution and scale of farming systems in the UK
Performance criteria:
a. The range of predominant UK farming systems and the factors influencing their distribution are described
b. The major factors which influence the development of farming systems in the UK are identified
Ranges:
Livestock, crops; intensive, extensive; technological, economic, political change.
Outcome 2
Identify and describe UK cropping systems and their essential components
Performance criteria:
a. Physical inputs and outputs are identified and levels of efficiency analysed
b. Impact of crop system on the environment is identified and described
c. The crop product's end use is identified
d. Components of crop systems are described
Ranges:
Arable crops; grassland and forage crops; organic systems; soil management; crop protection;
crop nutrition; rotations; alternative crop enterprises.
Outcome 3
Identify and describe UK livestock systems and their essential components
Performance criteria:
a. Physical inputs and outputs are identified and levels of efficiency analysed
b. Economic performance is described to gross margin level
c. Impact of crop system on the environment is identified and described
d. The livestock product end use is identified
Ranges:
Dairy, beef and sheep; pigs and poultry; slternative livestock enterprises
Brief description
Agriculture has a significant influence on the rural economy and the countryside. Knowledge of agricultural systems is therefore an important requirement for those undertaking rural studies, such as countryside managers. This module aims to provide a basic understanding of livestock and crop systems in the UK and the interaction of biological, physical and economic factors within them.
Transferable skills
.4 Writing in an academic context
This is assessed in the written examination
.5 Oral discussion and presentation
This will be tested in the seminar presentation
.8 Group activity
This will be developed in preparation for the seminar presentation.
Reading Lists
Books
Haines M. (1982)
An introduction to farming systems.
Soffe R J (Editor). (1995)
The Agricultural Notebook.
Spedding C R W (Editor). (1992)
Fream's Principles of food and agriculture.
Spedding C R W, Walsingham J M and Hoxey A M. (1981)
Biological efficiency in agriculture.