Module Information

Module Identifier
RD20100
Module Title
Equine Grassland and Business Management
Academic Year
2024/2025
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Case study  2000 Words  50%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Exam  50%
Supplementary Assessment Case study  Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. 2000 Words  50%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   Exam  50%

Learning Outcomes

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

Describe and evaluate characteristics and potential roles of grass and legume species and varieties and assess and determine the suitability of methods of pasture improvement.

Determine pasture nutrient requirements and recommend appropriate manurial strategies.

Describe and evaluate principles and systems of grazing and forage conservation.

Describe activities associated with the financial management of equine businesses.

Discuss the complexity of different trading structures, business taxation and the informational requirements of investors and financial institutions in lending.

Brief description

This module will firstly provide an understanding of the underlying scientific principles of grassland management, whilst also equipping students with the knowledge to manage grassland in order to utilize its full potential, and secondly will introduce students to aspects of equine business management, decision making, taxation, uncertainty and business distress and failure. Alternative structures for equestrian ventures and investment appraisal will be introduced.

Content

A total of 44 lectures, 2 laboratory practicals and 2 field visits.

Semester 1
Introduction and range and distribution of grassland
Factors affecting growth and nutritive value
Pasture species and herbage varieties
Pasture composition and manipulation of composition
Weed control and reseeding
Soil fertility and alternative forages
Fertiliser and manure use
Grazing management
Grazing and forage conservation
Forage conservation
Forage systems planning, module review and revision
Grass identification
Field visit

Semester 2
Introduction, overview of management and account users
Terminology, capital/trading items; Adjustments & deprn
Gross & net margins and benchmarking
The balance sheet, profit, cash & capital
Business economics
Business structures
Intro to taxation & income, business and capital taxes
Decision making and investment
SMEs and business distress
Business strategy
Revision

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number This will form part of the coursework.
Communication The written reports will develop literacy and communication skills.
Improving own Learning and Performance Through interaction with staff and self-directed study.
Information Technology Used in preparation of course work.
Problem solving This will form part of coursework set.
Research skills Students will gain research experience in addition to the completion of coursework.
Subject Specific Skills These will be delivered through teaching and assignments.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5