Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Report 2500 Words | 60% |
| Semester Assessment | Interactive Task 1500 Words | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Report 2500 Words | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Interactive Task 1500 Words | 40% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Detail the range and distribution of grasslands and forages and the characteristics of the major herbage species.
Review and evaluate the development of new forage crops for use in pasture-based systems.
Evaluate the influence of management and environment on pasture composition and critically appraise forage cropping programmes.
Evaluate grazing and forage conservation requirements and evaluate grassland and forage management plans and conservation systems in order to provide optimum yield and quality.
Critically appraise the potential for current research in grassland and forage crop production and utilisation to improve sustainability of forage-based livestock production.
Brief description
This module will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the core principles underpinning sustainable forage systems. Main themes: agronomy and utilisation of forages, livestock nutrition and production from forages, forage-based solutions to reduce environmental impacts and increase resilience. Students will also explore approaches to encourage and support change in agricultural practice.
Content
The aim of the module is to consider, in detail, the principles and practices underpinning the husbandry of grassland and forages with an emphasis on sward species and management, livestock nutrition and wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. Students will benefit significantly from the research being conducted in this area at IBERS and so have the opportunity to be involved in the advances at the forefront of grassland and forage science.
It will achieve this by considering the following areas:
- Agronomy and utilisation of forages, including topics such as species morphology, sward diversity, establishment and management, soil health, and forage breeding.
- Forages for livestock nutrition, well-being and production, including topics such as nutrition from forages, emissions and resource efficiency, grazing and forage conservation, and product quality.
- Environmental impacts and resilience, including topics such as ecosystem services from multi-species swards, IPM, implementing change, modelling, and climate resilience and adaptation.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | One of the assessed assignments will be based around a grazing and forage requirement assignment which will require the student to calculate nutrient requirements and pasture supply for grazing cattle and/or sheep. |
| Communication | Students will be expected to be able to express themselves appropriately in their assignments. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Detailed feedback will be given for assignment work. |
| Information Technology | Students will be required to source information from a variety of scientific publication databases. |
| Problem solving | Online quizzes will be used to help develop and improve students problem solving skills. |
| Research skills | Students will be required to undergo directed self study and work towards their assignment and so will develop their literature research skills. |
| Subject Specific Skills | The relationship between animals and their feeding / foraging environment. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7