Module Identifier RD25110  
Module Title CROP AND LIVESTOCK MECHANISATION SYSTEMS  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr Iwan G Owen  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Mr Michael Barrett  
Course delivery Lecture   2 x 1 hour lectures per week  
  Practical   5 x 3 hour practicals during semester  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Assignments (2): Systems performance analysis - outcomes assessed 1, 220%
Semester Assessment Farm wastes presentations - outcomes assessed 330%
Semester Assessment Farm buildings assignment - outcomes assessed: 350%
Supplementary Assessment Candidates must re-take the element of assessment that led to failure of the module  100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

Outcome 1
Analyse mechanized system performance.
Performance criteria
a. Assess spot work rate (cultivation, crop establishment, crop nutrition, crop protection, harvesting)
b. Determine causes of disruptions and delays and measure their impact (cultivation, crop establishment, crop nutrition, crop protection, harvesting)
c. Assess overall work rate and field efficiency (cultivation, crop establishment, crop nutrition, crop protection, harvesting)

Outcome 2
Design/select machine systems and system elements.
Performance criteria
a. Describe relevant citeria for system selection (power unit, cultivation, crop establishment, crop nutrition, crop protection, crop harvesting)
b. Identify the suitability of individual components within a mechanized system (power unit, cultivation, crop establishment, crop nutrition, crop protection, harvesting)
c. Recommend appropriate system improvements (power unit, cultivation, crop establishment, crop nutrition, crop protection, crop harvesting)

Outcome 3
Specify and design appropriate farm buildings, storage facilities and systems.
Performance criteria
a. Assess requirements and options available (livestock housing and handling, crop, machinery and farm waste storage, legislation, environment)
b. Select suitable sites (management, legislation, environment)
c. Design / select appropriate designs (livestock housing and handling, crop, machinery and farm waste storage, legislation, environment, materials)
d. Identify appropriate construction materials and techniques (proposed usage, environment, materials)

Brief description

This module is designed to provide a thorough technical understanding of crop and livestock mechanization systems. It will also enable students to identify relevant factors associated with the design and construction of buildings for livestock housing and handling, crop storage and the handling, storage and processing of farm waste.   The assessment weighting and title have been amended.

Reading Lists

Books
Culpin C (1986) Farm Machinery Collins
Shippen J M, Ellin C R, and Clover C H (1980) Basic farm machinery Pergamon
Witney B (1988) Choosing and using farm machines Longman Scientific & Technical

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5